How to pack smart for additional screening for Australia flights

TRAVEL ALERT: Flying from Manila to Australia? You CANNOT check in your luggage until it’s been SWABBED for chemical residue – yes, every single bag!

Here’s how to pack smart for additional screening:

1. Pack Neatly – Security will ask you to open your bag. So keep the layout clean and simple.

2. Make it easy to open and repack. 

What I did was to place all the contents of my luggage in a good quality vacuum compression bag and vacuum sealed it. So when they opened the luggage, nothing fell out of the bag. They swabbed the inside of the luggage and the top of the compression bag. They didn't open the compression bag. When they're done, I could easily close the luggage because all my items stayed neatly inside the compression bag. 

I bought the vacuum compression bag I used here:

https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.ICVSj

Unlike other bags I bought before, this is made of high quality durable material, with double zipper and leak proof valve. The rubber inside the valve is guaranteed leak proof. I'm very happy with this bag.

I also bought a portable rechargeable pump that I found very easy to use. It's very handy, compact and powerful. Check it out here:

https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.ICeKK

PRO TIP: Arrive Early. This screening adds extra time before check-in. Keep calm and cooperate. Swabbing is quick—but essential for safety and compliance with Australia’s strict border rules.

Grab Airport Advance Booking Review

GRAB AIRPORT ADVANCE BOOKING: 

Expectation vs. Reality (With Timeline!)

It was my first time trying Grab Advance Booking for an airport ride, and here’s exactly how it went down — timeline and all.

BACKSTORY:

I was supposed to use Park N’ Fly, but I forgot to book in advance (yes, I procrastinated). Tried to secure a slot 5 days before my flight, but they were fully booked. Hello, Labor Day Weekend rush.

So I turned to Grab Advance Booking for a May 1 flight. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect.

HERE’S HOW IT WENT:

April 29: Booked my Grab to NAIA Terminal 2.

 *Pickup: May 1, 5:00 AM

 *Standard ride for 2 people.

May 1, 1:32 AM: Got assigned a driver.

4:28 AM: Driver personally messaged to confirm pickup.

4:49 AM: We got picked up ahead of schedule.

5:03 AM: ARRIVED at NAIA. Stress-free. 

Shoutout to Arnold Simplina — our driver — who was courteous, friendly, and super helpful. The kind of driver you hope to get at 5 AM!

THE VERDICT:

If you're flying out during peak season, Grab Advance Booking is a GAME CHANGER. Zero stress, no scramble, and everything runs like clockwork.

10/10 would book again.

Pro tip: Don’t wait till the last minute for Park N’ Fly. But if you do, you’ve got Grab Advance booking to the rescue.

D'Hotel Singapore: My Review

D'HOTEL SINGAPORE: MY REVIEW

Planning the perfect weekend getaway for 2 in SINGAPORE? The D'Hotel Singapore managed by Ascott is a great hideaway. It's value for money and I highly recommend it. 

Here is our experience staying in this hotel:

ROOMS 

✅The standard room is very spacious, around 27 sq m. 

✅The room has all the basic amenities for a comfortable stay. They provide complete toiletries like shampoo, conditioner,  soap, shaver and shaving cream. They have coffee making facilities, a ref, an in-room safe and iron. 

✅ Their bed and pillows are very comfortable. Four pillows are provided in each room.

✅Water pressure is strong, although they do not have a bidet.

✅They have a pantry at the lobby where you can heat food in the microwave or oven toaster.

✅They also have a small gym. 

LOCATION 

✅The location is a short 30 min ride from the airport via taxi or grab. You can also opt to use the mrt from the airport. 

✅The location is near very good restaurants like the House of Peranakan Petit and Por Kee Eating House, Tiong Bahru bakery and near the hawker center, Tiong Bahru market.

✅The bus stop is a few steps away and the mrt station is just a short walk from the hotel

Overall, this hotel is value for money and very highly recommended. We will stay again at this hotel when we return to Singapore.

We booked this hotel here: https://bit.ly/40HBGsP

#pinoyroadtrip #pinoyroadtrips #singapore #DiscoverASR #TiongBahru #DHotelSingapore #besthoteldeals #TravelOnABudget #weekendgetaway

SINGAPORE: RECOMMENDED CHANGI AIRPORT TRANSFERS FOR BIG GROUPS

RECOMMENDED CHANGI AIRPORT TRANSFERS FOR BIG GROUPS 

Airport transfers for big groups is always a challenge. We decided to forego taking public transportation at Changi Airport Singapore because of our arrival time and location of our hotel, which included several transfers. Booking one grab car is not an option for our family of 6 because of luggage limits per car, even if all people will fit in it. We'll end up booking 2 grab cars which will amount to the same cost of pre-booking one vehicle for all 6 of us. So we decided to pre-book airport transfers for our family of 6.

For hassle free airport transfers at Changi Airport for big groups, we booked our airport transfers here: https://bit.ly/3NTvohW

In my experience, if you're arriving with a big group, it's best to book in advance for faster service. We booked this particular Vimo service through klook for 8 passengers with 8 pcs 24 inch luggage. We were picked up immediately at the arrival pickup area at Terminal 4. Service was seamless.

The great thing about booking at Klook is you actually know how many passengers and luggage will fit in the vehicle you booked. It avoids misunderstanding with the driver regarding how many people and luggage will be accommodated.

Do you have other suggestions for airport transfers for big groups? Please share in the comments section.

Cheapest Singapore SIM Review

Going to Singapore for the weekend? I found the CHEAPEST SIM CARD you can buy

Cheapest Singapore SIM: https://bit.ly/3C9KbTn

I found this to be the cheapest way to get data compared to activating Globe roaming or buying sim at lazada or shopee. 

My review: It is easy to pick up at the 24 hour stall at Changi airport, Terminals 1-4. You just present your passport and qr code for claiming. This sim is fast and very easy to install. Connection is seamless.

Do you have any other sim card options that's cheaper than this one? Please let me know in the comments section.

#pinoyroadtrip #pinoyroadtrips #singapore #changiairport #changiairportsingapore #simcard #singaporetravel #singaporesim

Benjarong Thai Restaurant Signature Dishes Photos

Benjarong Thai Restaurant Signature Dishes Photos

Wondering what to order at Benjarong Thai restaurant at Dusit Thani Manila? Here's a peek at what their signature dishes look like.

Morinaga Creamy Cheese Review

Unboxing my pasalubong from Tokyo: Morinaga Creamy Cheese

My review: Tiny, creamy and so cheesy! Addictive!