We dined in KFC (btw, may I just say that all food establishments were super crowded at this time) and satisfied our hungry tummies first before we strolled MOA. I'm glad we were able to have a short chat before they left. One of the choir members, our youth pastor, is like a brother to us already, so I'm happy we met and had a short chat before they head home.
Since we live in the North, SM MOA is a mall that we don’t visit too often. The nearest from us are SM North EDSA and Trinoma mall. So if I'm not mistaken, this was just my sister's and Nate's 2nd visit to SM MOA. I’m happy because I know they’re happy. :) They were both enjoying their views and it’s such a lovely sight for me. We were tired but happy. Nate even slept on our way home! Lol. I wish my sister next to me was also here, but she had to attend her class in school, and that’s more important, so she wasn’t around. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, chose to stay at home.
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Finally able to eat after more than 30 mins of looking for a place to eat, ordering and waiting for our food! lol. |
For a commuter like us travelling from the North going to SM
Mall of Asia, here are the greatest challenges that I see when deciding to
visit and have fun in the biggest mall in Asia:
1. Traffic
Well, traffic is everywhere now, so, this is given! And if
you are someone like me who’s no longer familiar with rush hour times and
commuting, you’ll certainly spend hours and hours on the road to SM MOA! This
was what happened to us. I knew it would be very traffic to travel by bus so we
chose to commute via MRT. It was around 12nn, so there were lots of people
there, and on to of that, it was also a weekend! To stay in long queues just
to get a ticket, wait in line for the train (still unsure if you’ll be able to
sit or not), what I’m thankful for is that Nate is with us so we can stay at
the priority lane. I can’t really imagine squeezing ourselves with so many
people in the train (I’ve experienced that so many times in the past!).
We had such difficult time going there, specially going home when it was exactly during rush hour at 4PM! I can't imagine how I'd do it without my sister! One needs to take care of Nate and one needs to fall in line to get a ticket. Makes me wanna go home and live in the province already! lol.
2. Crowd
This visit to MOA made me not want to visit it again on a
weekend. It was just too crowded! The fast-food chains are so filled, it took
us time to find a place to eat. There were just too many people everywhere. Or,
it could just be me because of the nature of my job; I am now someone who works
at home and isn’t exposed too often to crowds, that's another factor to consider. Not to only that, we now live in Rizal, which is also a
quieter place.
3. Distance
Distance shouldn’t be a problem, without traffic, I think it
should only take about 30 mins from SM North to SM MOA via EDSA. But that’s without
the traffic. Because of the nature of EDSA, the distance seems to become even
farther! Sometimes, the time you spend going from end to end is also the time
you spend going to Pampanga or any provinces near Metro Manila. I’m glad we
commuted via MRT, if we chose to ride by bus, I don’t even know what time we’ll
get there anymore! Lol!
Nevertheless, we Filipinos who are always known for being
able to smile in spite of all hardships, we still had so many reasons to enjoy
this stroll. This traffic and huge inconvenience is nothing compared to the
smiles that I see on my son’s face, the time I was able to spend chatting with
our pastor, the wonderful photos, we can keep and share and just the memories I
can keep forever, the time I was able to spend with my son. That’s nothing
compared to all the hassle! :)
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sis and Nate on our way home. |
What’s the solution to all this if you ask? What I can only
say is: avoid rush hours and weekends. Leave to early, lol! And by too early,
it could mean dawn! Omg! Nate is still fast asleep at that time! Haha! Or, get
a car and find alternate routes. I wish it’s that easy to get a car, haha. But
you need money bruh, more money to be able to buy a car, and we’re not at that
point yet for now. If you can’t do both, just like us, just find ways to still
be able to enjoy no matter what happens! Lol!
What challenges about commuting did I miss? :)
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It's been ten years that I'm living outside NCR so everytime I visit malls in NCR, napapagod na ko sa laki. I'm not used to it anymore. MOA Eye is an expensive ride, same sila sa Sky Ranch in Tagaytay na mahal din. :)
ReplyDeleteTrue, mahal talaga sis! :)
DeleteCongrats sa ila ni Ptr and friends, nagtravel pa ng malayo para lang makakanta. Kaya deserve nyo din gaw na magtravel ng ganern kalayo hahaha, sulit na sulit naman makita ang brother in Christ.
ReplyDeleteTama gaw!
DeleteHavent been to MOA for almost 2 years now. I like visiting SM North or Megamall than MOA mainit kase dun. :-) Also it's too crowded and naliligaw ako parati. :-)
ReplyDeletehaha! ako din naliligaw dun! lol! Like you, I'd also prefer MOA.
DeleteI thought the MOA Eye is not expensive. We've never tried that before but we have tried Skyranch in Tagaytay and the one in Enchanted Kingdom. We used to frequent MOA before when my kids are little. I drive all the way from the South and just let them play and eat. We used to stay along the seaside to catch the sunset..
ReplyDeleteIdk, I find it pricey, lol! But yes, I agree, the sunset is wonderful!
Deletehmm, i believe overcrowding is an issue in all cities nowadays? I've never been to The Philippines so I really have no idea how bad the crowds can get, but in Singapore I would rather just stay at home and avoid going to the malls unless I desperately need to get something. One would think going window-shopping at the mall would be relaxing and enjoyable, but with the crazy crowds it's nothing but stressful and exasperating at times. but i'm sure you've still enjoyed spending time with your friends right? many times, it's the company that counts. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit SG! :) Yes, you're right, it's the company that counts the most!
DeleteSame here! I also live in the north and mas madalas kami sa SM North and Trinoma but I like going to that mall.
ReplyDeleteAppear Mommy Peachy, SM North and Trinoma, definitely! Oh, and SM San Mateo too, which is the nearest to us. :)
DeleteSM MOA is too big and could really be stressful during weekend. Always hard time to find a meeting place. Haha. Due to the sort of all-in fun and entertainment it can bring, some families and friends gather here. But yes, the outdoor activities it offers are perfect for a bonding.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely stressful during weekends! And you're right, it's worth the hassle when you're with good friends.
DeleteI'm not bothered by #1 and #3 problems. I live in Laguna, though. It seems far but for a lakwatsera like me, I don't usually bother the traffic and distance as long as I'm not alone traveling or I'm looking forward to the place I'm going to. But I must agree that #2 will really get into your nerve! I've been to MOA several times to watch an event like Pyromusical and the crowd was just... ugh. Your patience will run out if you want to buy food because lines are really loooong! That you'll wish that you should've brought food to the venue nalang to save effort, time and energy. I was so surprised nga that inspite of the mall being so big, it can still get that crowded. :( But, I'm glad to you went here with your family because that will definitely ease up all the challenges you encountered. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, in spite of all those, which are mostly uncontrollable, I can stick with what matters most! lol.
DeleteIt's so nice to read something like this again. Something light and personal to take a break from most blogs. I was just in MOA last Friday for the MIBF but didn't really get to do most stuff in the mall since I was in the SMX Convention Center. It's good to see you had fun with your family! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rej! As much as I'd love to go to MIBF, we had to hurry 'coz we still had a christening to attend. :(
Delete*Sigh* Back in 2007, I was handling talents and events for MOA. Everyday, I had to go there and suffer the traffic and go home late in the evening when the mall is closing. Back then it took me 2 hours to go there. But right now, I'm pretty sure this will take me 3 hours at least. So practicality wise, I wouldn't want to go there anymore unless the traffic situation is solved. I even missed out a gathering purposely because it's just too far.
ReplyDeletehttp://thetopknotters.com
3 hrs? wow! Napakasayang ng oras, no?
DeleteYeah the malls are mostly crowded, especially the fast food outlets. I've experienced the same in Singapore and the metropolitan cities in India too. If not to catch a movie or sometimes for food, I hardly head off to the malls. Not fun trying to snake your way through the crowds.
ReplyDeletetrue! Crowds can be really stressful! :(
DeleteI don't really like malls. Mainly for the reasons you mentioned, traffic and crowds. i'm not into shopping so to me it's not really worth it.
ReplyDeleteBut on pics you seem like you're having a great time. Maybe it wasn't so bad, after all :)
It was bad, but I can forget it for the sake of meeting an old friend. :)
DeleteBack when I was still single, we used to visit MoA often. We were even there on the first day that it opened. Haha. Now that we live far from it, I miss it already. When I get to go back, I get confused already as there are many new changes. Plus, a lot of people nga. Lalo pag may events like pyro olympics.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true, sis! I feel you! Nakakagulat minsan ang improvement, specially if you haven't been there for so long! lol!
Deleteah..traffic, crowd and distance.. these are actually the three things that used to refrain me from visiting Sm Mall of asia.. and not to mention that I always get lost here haha.. but then I don't mind them at all.. my family and i used to have our bonding moments here
ReplyDeleteThat's nice to hear! And yes, that's true. Sometimes, we just really have to deal with it! lol!
Delete