HK Hotel: Dorsett in Kwun Tung

During a company-sponsored trip to Hong Kong in 2013, our group stayed at the Dorsett in Kwun Tung, located at 84 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong. Classified as a chic business hotel, this 4-star hotel was the next best hotel I have ever stayed at by far. I only say it's the best because I normally stay at budget-rate accommodations. Obviously, the room itself and its amenities were way better compared to where I stayed at previous travels abroad. The hotel was definitely an upgrade from the accommodation I had on my first trip back in 2007. If you've ever stayed at one of the many sleazy units in the Chungking Mansion, you'd definitely agree with me. Sizewise, it's definitely bigger. Although it's only a 21-square-meter room, trust me, it's considerably big by Hong Kong standards. As it was paid for by the company, I was not privy to the exact price we paid for this superior room accommodation. We actually availed of a group tour provided by a high school classmate through his company Swix Travel and Tours. If you want to book directly with the hotel, do check out the hotel's website as I sometimes see them offering rooms at discounted price.

The Hotel Lobby

Photo Credit: www.dorsetthotels.com	Our Group

behind the scene

Big thighs aside, one of the quirky things I do when I have an opportunity to set foot in a new place is to take my vetlongwalks mark. It's no easy task especially if you don't have a strong core (too much fat, ehem, ehem!) But thankfully, once in a while, you are fortunate to be with travel buddies who help you achieve what you set out to accomplish. Though many years have passed, I could still remember to this day the support given by friends from work. Only T is seen in the picture, but the rest, including D, D, E, probably J as well, cheered on and gamely took the picture.

The picture above was taken by D during a trip in Seoul back in August 2010(?). This was taken at the Rose Garden, located at the Everland Resort (199 Everland-Ro, Pogok-eup, Cheonin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea).

This one below, on the other hand, was taken during this year's trip to Siquijor last May.

This was at Tori's Paradise in Dumanjog, Siquijor. The resort had its own swimming pool and beach with white sands

Oh, fun times!

2018 Philippine Holidays

It's that time of the year once again: the plotting of your holiday plans for next year. Earlier today, Malacañang released the official regular and special non-working holidays for 2018. Officially known as Proclamation 269, the memo signed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte listed ten regular holidays and eight special non-working days for next year.

To the members of the labor force who wish to rake in more money instead of go on vacation, legal holidays are computed as follows:
To the members of the labor force, legal holidays mean an opportunity to rake in more money. That is, if they choose to report to work instead of going on vacation.
a. If employee did not work, salary paid for that day shall be 100%. It means you get your full daily rate. Sweet.
b. If employee worked that day, salary paid shall be double your daily rate. Daily rate applies to the first eight hours.
c. If employee did OT that day, salary paid shall be double your rate + additional 30% of your hourly multiplied by the number of hours worked.
d. If employee worked and the day happens to be a rest day too, salary paid shall be double your daily rate + 30% of the double pay.
e. If d + OT work, OT work paid shall be 30% of hourly rate of the double pay x 130% (reg. day) x 130% (rest day) x number of works worked.
For Special (Non-Working Day), salary computation is as follows: a. "No work, no pay" principle applies.
b. If employee did not work, salary paid for that day shall be 130% of daily rate.
c. If employee worked that day, salary paid shall be and additional 30% of hourlyily rate. Daily rate applies to the first eight hours.
d. If employee worked and the day happens to be a rest day too, salary paid shall be an additional 50% of the daily rate.
e. If d + OT work, OT work paid shall be an additional 30% of his hourly rate (hourly rate of basic daily wage x 150% x 130% x number of hours worked.)