Madrid: On Second Chances

In the middle of Madrid’s historic center, his cab off limits, the driver dropped us off just outside a tree-lined, cobbled street.

Across it is our hostal. Calle Mayor is filled with buildings of centuries past and within walking distance is Madrid’s main squares, Plaza Mayor, and Puerto del Sol.

Hostal Patria

A good place to be, this part of the city is full of sprightly bars, restaurants, and shops, many of which are old and historical selling traditional goods.

Definitely a perfect choice to get into its verve.

Madrid didn’t always dazzled. On a day trip en route to Seville some ten years ago, the capital of Spain failed to impress. Too cosmopolitan, my first impression was.

But highly developed as it has become, Madrid’s art, and cultural heritage remains Intact and very much alive. A few days in the capital and I warmed up, I allowed it to dazzle me with its vibrant vibe, the second time around. So how did it change my impression?

La Plaza Mayor and People Watching

Although overpriced, Plaza Mayor is a marvelous place to while away time. We’d order a jug of sangria, a plate of olives and pass the time and people watch.

Built during Philip III’s reign (the Habsburg period), it used to be the center of festivities… bull fights, royal coronations, and executions. It is still used today for public celebrations and is one of the famous squares of Madrid. It is a beautiful square that measures 129 by 94 meters. Three-storey residential buildings surround it.

A fire led to the plaza’s renovation in 1790. Architect Juan de Villanueva lowered the building fronts and enclosed the square at the corners by building nine archways. The Arco de Cuchilleros with its steep steps leading up to the square is the most arresting among the arches.

In Calle Cuchilleros, you’ll find Botin Restaurant—the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. But more than its world record, do go for their specialty,

the Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig) and Cordero Asado (roast lamb). Superb.

Delightful Cheap Eats

Museo del Jamon (Museum of Ham). Just by the name, you are lured, yes? Legs and legs of ham hang from its walls, calling us from afar. This was the first place, after checking in, we entered.

It was jamon heaven and an excellent brunch it made. A block away from the hostal, we found it to be a great place to soak in the local scene while sampling different kinds of Spanish ham at very affordable prices. Beer comes with a round of free tapas already.

Another excellent venue for very affordable eats is Cerveceria 100 Montaditos. A fun place with many outlets across Spain, actually. A pint of beer and most sandwiches sell for €1. And these aren’t shoddy sandwiches either. How can you go wrong with that?

Mercado de San Miguel is my favorite.

It’s a market and a tapas corner in one roof. Although somewhat of a tourist trap, I was captivated.

The vibrant atmosphere, the turn of the century building, which was rebuilt when the Belle Époque fell into disrepair, the tapas and various foods are good enough reasons to be trapped here.

It is described to be a culinary culture center that brings together the best traders, professionals and experts under one roof and I tend to agree. I truly enjoyed this place.

The Glorious Churros con Chocolate

A favorite of the Spaniards, chocolate and churros, they take very seriously. Made of thick dark chocolate, Spanish hot chocolate is almost always paired with churros. The thickness and richness work well as a dip but to drink it after the churros are gone is not a bad thing too.

Highly recommended in guidebooks and online searches are San Gines Chocolateria. Believed to be the oldest place serving chocolate and churros. We found our way there one morning, a line already forming. The menu, if there even is one, only has a handful of items: café con leche, fresh orange juice, and churros con chocolate caliente. There are 2 versions of the churros – the traditional kind (has 6-7 pieces per order) and the thicker kind called porras. Lighter, I preferred the traditional one.

Our hostal host, on the other hand, recommended to Cafeteria Los Pinchitos. It is, to him, the best churros con chocolate in town. “A secret among Madrileños,” he said.

The churros are light, the outside crispy while the inside soft. The chocolate appeals more to my taste – not as thick as San Gines’ but creamier. The place lacks ambiance, typically traditional, and the service leaves much to be desired. But the food besides the churros and the chocolate are excellent.

Oreja de Cerdo a la Plancha — Roasted Pork Ear

Treasure Hunting at El Rastro

Unless it’s a flea market, a traditional market or a specialty market (for affordable art / conversational pieces that are easy to carry home), I try to avoid the shopping scene. But in Madrid, Sundays should be reserved for the flea market.

Entertainment at the Rastro

The rastro is a street market from the medieval time.

One can spend the whole morning looking at find practically anything, from books and toys, clothes, flowers, handicrafts, to antiques, paintings, and other works of art.

A blowtorch made by Anton’s descendant. How likely is that?

Held every Sunday and public holidays from 9am – 2pm, it takes up a large triangle area between Calle Embajadores and Ronda de Toledo, along Plaza de Cascorro and La Riberia de Curtidones.

And suddenly I am charmed.

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015 by Jenn 2

Alfama: The Home of Lisbon Blues Music

“Alfama” recommends Hossein. For an authentic fado vadio, our “unofficial” guide guaranteed that this place is it, writes down the name and address of the bar, then points it out on our map.

On Rua Dos Remedios, we found A Tasca do Chico. It was Fado Vadio (amateur fado singers) night.

The small joint only had a few tables, perfect for intimate and informal performances.

Dinner was simple but we were there for Fado anyway. It was an absolutely enjoyable evening of soulful music. A must in Lisbon. Really. Don’t leave Lisbon without a live experience of Fado music.

So what is Fado? I too, have never heard of it until I read up on Lisbon. It is a music genre traced back to the 1820s and 1830s at best. Although difficult to trace, it seems to have its roots in the merging of Portuguese, Moorish and African culture. Fado songs can be about anything but it is a traditional form of urban folk music. The Portuguese language has a word, saudade, which roughly means nostalgia or homesickness with a bittersweet longing. Fado music is exactly that. It often conveys a yearning for what could have been or what cannot be. Most of its lyrics are about lost or unrequited love, jealousy and passion, death, and the lives of the Fadistas (fatalists).

There is no better place to experience the nostalgia of Fado than in Lisbon’s oldest district, Alfama. But it is not only famous for its Fado music as to visit Alfama is to visit the architecture, sound and smell of old Lisbon.

And so we went back the following day. Alfama is Lisbon’s most symbolic quarter. The oldest district of Lisbon spreads down the southern slope from Castelo de Sâo Jorge to the River Tagus. The Mouraria and Alfama (both old districts) were relatively spared during the Great Earthquake,

thus remains the charm of winding narrow streets and crumbling walls.

A walk through the old-fashioned residential neighborhood is like stepping back in time.

Alfama

It’s a village still made up of tiny spaces, whitewashed houses with iron balconies adorned with pots of flowers and drying laundry.

The best way to get to know Alfama is to wander around.

The outstanding views, the churches, and the breathtaking panorama of the city from the castle were worth another trip back the next day. Some scenes from our wanderings:

Although we didn’t have time to explore, Castelo de Sâo Jorge is a Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic center of Lisbon and Tagus River.

As in from Baixa.

It can be seen from almost everywhere on the city.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a romantic terrace by the church of Santa Luzia with a view of the river and Alfama. On the outside wall of the church are 2 tiled panels, one of Gomercio Square before the quake and another showing Christians attacking the castle.

A few steps away from Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a balcony that opens to the river offering spectacular views over Alfama. A statue of St. Vincent holding a boat and 2 ravens also stands proud watching over the district. Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol.

From the balcony, one can spot Sâo Vicente de Fora Monastery, an exceptional 16th-century monument located outside the city walls. “De Fora” means on the outside.

Church of Santa Engracia or Portugal’s National Pantheon. This 17th-century monument was converted in the 20th century into the National Pantheon. It is now the burial-place for a number of Portuguese personalities.

Useful Info:

Getting There:

Walk from Rossio or take tram no. 28

A Tasca do Chico (Alfama)

Rua Dos Remedios, 83

+351 965 059 670

References:

Portuguese Fado Music 101 – About. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://worldmusic.about.com/od/europeanjudaica/p/PortugueseFado.htm

Posted on November 17, 2014November 17, 2014 by Jenn 4

Good Eats: Portugal

Credits: Quickpage from 4EVER kit by Sarah H.

Not as famous a cuisine in my part of the world, my first encounter with Portuguese cuisine was in Macau. Technically, what I had was Macanese food—more like a mix of Portuguese and Chinese with influences from cuisines of other Portuguese speaking nations but this sparked an interest in Portugal (and of course its cuisine).

So we made our way there last year. Little did we know that this land offers more than just an awesome cuisine but boasts of picturesque landscapes, colorful cityscapes as well as a rich history.

Lisbon

The primary goal, however, is to delve deeper into its cuisine. And as soon as we arrived in Lisbon, we immediately solicited advice on where to find authentic Portuguese restaurants around the city.

And thanks to Hossein, we found our way to some unforgettable good eats even though eateries catering more to the tourist crowd dominated the area near his hostel.

Portugal’s colonial possessions influenced the use of spices and ingredients that are today widely used in their cuisines such as chilies from Angola called piri-piri, black pepper, as well as cinnamon, vanilla and saffron. The result is rustic and robust, often described as peasant food. Portuguese restaurants run a broad spectrum from rustic eateries to fancy hotspots.

Lisbon has left an indelible impression on me and a lot of it had to do with the food. Here’s why I know I’ll be back.

Chicken Piri Piri at Bonjardim

Chicken Piri Piri. One of Portuguese’s simple pleasures. This chicken is roast to perfection with a blend of potent small chili peppers. Top on our list, the first thing we did was head to this unpretentious eatery where locals go for the charred and plump piri-piri spiced roast chicken.

Just within walking distance from the hostel, in a side street east of Praca Restauradores is Bonjardim Cervejaria.

On a rainy day, it was comforting to be enjoying chicken cooked to perfection – moist in the inside, skin crispy and gently spiced.

For added heat, a piri-piri sauce comes on the side and should be taken with caution. Hossein’s first recommendation, I give it a two-thumbs up.

Maritime Bounty

Being a seafaring nation with a well-established fishing industry, fish and seafood dominate the menu. Often relying on a traditional repertoire of grilled fish, meat, hearty stews and the ubiquitous salted cod, the cuisine is best when simply prepared.

The Ubiquitous Bacalhau

Codfish is a staple and is almost always used dried and salted because this is how this fish was preserved pre-freezer days. Today, they say that there are 365 different ways to cook bacalhau—one for every day of the year. The strong flavor of this salty fish represents the real taste of Portuguese food.

Bacalhau Rice

Sardinhas

Another popular sardine dish— Sardinhas de Escabeche, fried sardines marinated in olive oil, vinegar, onions and bay leaves.

Next to adorn the tables of rich and poor are the Portuguese sardines. The country’s 6-8 inch long “slave of the sea” is found off the Atlantic coast of Iberia and France. They are known to have layers of fat content that melts when cooked (usually grilled), giving it a unique flavor.

Caldeirada

This very Algarvean dish is a stew consisting of a variety of fish and shellfish with potatoes, tomatoes and onions and usually served at the table from a large pot, usually from where it was cooked in.

It is a Portuguese bouillabaisse that calls for a generous splash of white wine and lots of herbs, resulting to a hearty one pot dish often served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious soup.

Porco

From fried pork cubes to the national favorite—roast suckling pig. Portuguese love their pork.

Leitão

Or suckling Pig is served throughout Portugal. Rubbed with garlic, pork fat, rock salt and pepper, then traditionally roasted in a spit. The result is usually crisp skin and succulent meat.

Bifana

Tendhina, a hole in the wall in Rossio serving lovely sandwiches.

It’s a simple pork sandwich, really. A humble combination of grilled pork sandwiched on a hard roll that pairs perfectly with a few squirts of tart honey mustard.

May not look very appetising but this sandwich is heavenly.

A deliciously simple meal to grab when busy or while exploring the town.

Caldo Verde

A hearty soup more common in the north but is found in menus all over Portugal. Made from a thick creamy base of onions and potatoes with very finely shredded collard green (sometimes substituted with kale) and chouriço (Portuguese sausages).

Feijoada

Our kind of dish—hearty and full of flavor.

Hossein pointed us to an address in Rua do Norte. No name, just a number and a street name. Small restaurant with a few tables, the signage inconspicuously positioned somewhere on a window revealed the restaurant’s name—Cantinho do Bem Estar. It was still closed. Someone from inside came out to tell us to come back at 1 (pm). So we walked around, had a few beers and by the time we returned (at precisely 1pm), there was a table already occupied.

And no sooner than we are settled, it was full. And by the time we were done, there was a line.

Because it came highly recommended by the server and almost everyone had this dish on the table, we went for Feijoada.

A dish consisting of beans and pork braised in a sauce of tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage to which traditional sausages (we had a mix of blood sausages and chorizo) and bacon are also added. Definitely a great meal to have on a rainy day.

Cantinho do Bem Estar. Thank you, Hossein, for this marvelous find.

Doces

I’ve always looked forward to Macanese / Portuguese desserts when in Macau, not only because I love sweets but also because they were all divinely addicting. Portuguese love their dessert that’s why.

Convent made cakes and desserts introduced in the 15th century brought forth this fascination for sweets. There is an abundant list of Portuguese desserts from cakes, pastries and tarts to mousses and puddings. And of course, I can’t end this post without mentioning some of my favorites

Pasteis de Belem

As it is in Spain, eggs especially the yolks were in abundance (Portugal being Europe’s largest egg producer).

Pasteis de Nata became Portugal’s favorite sweet treat. So good that it has made its mark in other countries, Macau being one of them. These are small open pastries with a sweet custard filling and a caramelized sugar topping.

Available in every coffee shop in the land but the best can only be found in the Belem area of Lisbon called Pasteis de Belem. A carefully guarded recipe since it was introduced in 1837. The lines are long and I hate lines.

But when you bite into the flaky pastry shell, and tasted the sweet, creamy filling dusted with sugar and cinnamon, you know that however long the wait, it will be worth it. Believe. You. Me.

Sintra’s Travesseiros and Queijadas

After touring around this magical UNESCO World Heritage Site, our guide pointed us to A. Piriquita to cap our simple yet beautiful lunch.

As we walked in, the smell of the buttery goodness of freshly baked goods greeted along with a display full of heavenly sweets. The café though is known for Sintra’s delicacy, the travesseiros, a puff pastry filled with custard and almond, and dusted with sugar. The looks do not prepare you to the light and flakey crust and the moist, creamy almond filling that oozes out when bitten.

Piriquita

Along with this, the jewel of the crown is the famous cupcakes / cheesecake called queijadas. It is essentially a small round custardy tart wrapped in pastry, unlike the cupcake / cheesecake we are familiar with. It is made with simple ingredients of cow’s cheese, sugar, flour, eggs and cinnamon. With a pronounced cinnamon flavor, these simple ingredients gave rise to an exquisite dessert not quite a cupcake or a cheesecake.

Impressive recommendations, which suffice to say, left me longing to go back.

Useful Info:

Bonjardim

Travessa de S. Antão 11

+351 213 427 424

A Tendinha do Rossio

Praca Don Pedro IV, 6

Rossio, Lisbon

+351 212 468 156

Cantinho do Bem Estar

Rua do Norte, 46

Bairro Alto, Lisbon

+351 213 464 265

Pasteis de Belem

Rua de Belem, 84-92

1300-085 Lisbon

+351 213 637 423

A Piriquita

Rua Padarias 1/7

Sintra

+351 219 230 026

Posted on November 5, 2014November 13, 2014 by Jenn 3

The Way to Initiate the Novice

I’m with some novice trekkers, not that I mind, it is an easy trek after all. I am thrilled, in fact, to have them experience the joy of summiting after an uphill struggle that seemed never-ending and pointless, and to realize, after all that trouble, that the reward is usually at the peak.

Named the 3rd best beach and island of the Philippines by CNN Go April of last year and just like that, Palaui caught my attention. I’ve been going back and forth to Sta. Ana for a few years now, but Palaui was never on my radar.

Maybe because it takes more work to get there and that includes braving the (sometimes) treacherous sea.

A protected area, the island lies between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It boasts of a nice long stretch of white pebble beach, abundant marine life, a century old lighthouse, a waterfalls hidden somewhere and a scenic rugged terrain. It is pretty much uninhabited, with only a small community living in the island. No electricity and accommodation to speak of.

So one fine day, along with the same people I spent several Sta. Ana weekends together, we took off from the shores of Sun City in San Vicente and headed to Palaui. An hour, perhaps more on the boat and we arrived on the island.

We paid for a guide and started our trek on the beach,

which lead to a short forest walk before we emerged on the other side to beautiful rolling hills reminiscent of Batanes.

steps-to-lighthouse

We then climbed (more than) some steps that would eventually lead to the summit where Cape Engaño stands.

The view along the way took my breath away.

It may not be the best beach as it is not fine sand as that of Boracay or even Palawan

but the island dazzles at every turn,

from the beach to the top of the lighthouse… all I can say was SPECTACULAR. And the new recruits were enjoying themselves too.

Not that difficult to get to, we took the Lugunzad trail, which took all of just 30 minutes from beach to lighthouse.

There is a waterfall somewhere, said our guide, but all this walking made the others hungry. And so the initiation is over, we will take baby steps and insist on the waterfalls some other time.

At a beach named Gotan, lunch was already being prepared. A private beach, we had to arrange to use a few days earlier. We had a sumptuous meal of everything grilled.

There, we lounged around, enjoyed each other’s company amidst beautiful Agoho trees. That’s how to initiate novice trekkers. Yes?

Posted on January 7, 2013January 10, 2013 by Jenn 15

Best of 2012

Forgive the silence… would you believe that I ushered in the New Year with colds and fever? But that didn’t stop me from having friends over for the count down. No. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

Credits: Quickpage from JSprague’s 4ever kit, created by Brenda Neuberger

2012 has been good to me. Even with much less travels this year, I’ve managed a few unforgettable firsts. Here they are; some I have not even posted but will pre-empt:

1. The Bus Ride to Vang Vieng

A 4-hour bus ride from Vientaine on a sleeper bus made for petite Laotians. Worst was the bunks were meant for (yes) 2 petite Laotians. We’re definitely far from petite. So imagine the trip.

2. First time on a Hot Air Balloon

Soaring high in Vang Vieng, watching the town wake up. You get the best view in town, if you ask me.

3. The Boat Ride to Y’ami

An idea that came to fruition had us journeying to the northernmost island of the Philippines on a grueling 3-hour boat ride off Itbayat Island in Batanes. Why? I ask the same question many times over. An experience hard to topple.

4. A Night in Siayan

We had to break the grueling boat ride and stay overnight in an island about 1 hour away from Itbayat (the farthest inhabited island of Batanes) because the waters along the Bashi Channel can be treacherous particularly in the late afternoon. Getting to the island, beautiful as it is, is an adventure in its self.

5. Hiking Up to Cape Engaño

Beautiful sight, up there. That’s all I will say for now. Watch out for my post – coming soon.

6. Enjoying an Onsen Bath

While it snowed too. A totally exhilarating and liberating experience, I dipped in those pools two nights in a row. Awesomeness.

As for 2013, I’ve got some exciting plans already in the pipeline. I’ve been working hard to get that to fruition over the holidays, truth to tell. It is going to be an exciting year. I feel it in the air. How is your 2013 looking so far?

Posted on January 3, 2013January 3, 2013 by Jenn 6

Basco Jaunts: Quaint Little Café in Naidi Hills

Heard one of the bunkers in Naidi Hills is now a café. Open only after office hours because the owners have day jobs. So I noted to self: to have dinner there tonight.

Naidi Hills used to just be a nice spot to chill and to watch the sunset, nothing there really except for the old bunkers.

These bunkers, forever a fixture and leaves much to be desired, sits atop stunning rolling hills with equally stunning views of the town, Mt. Iraya and the bay.

They couldn’t have picked a better site for the café, finally making good use of the old bunkers.

When I returned in 2007, a 6-storey lighthouse with a viewing deck on the 5th level was a new addition to the vicinity, adding to the Naidi Hills charm.

Built next to it is an Ivatan inspired house that was a guesthouse then, a souvenir shop now. Guess the guesthouse didn’t pan out so well.

Rows of flowers grown near the house brightens up the already pretty site.

Mt. Iraya peeking out of the clouds as seen from the plaza.

Just a short hike from the town plaza, we walked to dinner passing Sto. Domingo de Basco Church along the way.

Established in 1783, making it the oldest church in Batanes, and perhaps one of the oldest in the Philippines.

Having had our share of coconut crabs in Itbayat already, lobsters were next on our list.

Kinilaw na isda (fish cooked in vinegar), a pako (fiddlehead fern) dish, and inihaw na baboy (grilled pork) complemented the sweet lobsters, steamed to perfection.

When evening came, the mood changed. The spotlights puts focus on the dinner tables outside and the lighthouse dramatically provides the backdrop, bringing al fresco dining into a whole new level.

Setting ambience aside, Bunker Café is a delight in the food department. Put pack ambience and the café is definitely a winner.

A must visit when in Batanes.

Posted on October 11, 2012October 11, 2012 by Jenn 8

Of Cabanas and Good Books

A free day to lounge around, we got tips from Mang Rudy and the guests next door. Corong Corong Beach, south of El Nido, came highly recommended.

Las Cabanas Beach Resort, we told the tricycle driver and we got dropped off a dirt road.

He said to just walk down till we end up on the beach. Las Cabanas will be on the left side. He will pick us up in the afternoon.

Just 3 kilometers south of El Nido town center is a gorgeous stretch of white sand beach, not quite Boracay-fine but fine enough for me.

Still part of the Bacuit Archipelago, the panoramic view of the distant islands and the peaceful environment makes for a relaxing get-away from the hustle and bustle of town. It is definitely more private, a lot quieter, unadulterated still.

We followed the driver’s instructions, we walked pass a resort which looked charming enough for us to want to stay.

Orange Pearl has a few beachfront cottages and a restaurant that served simple Filipino food. I was happily considering pancit. We, however, decided to walk the rest of the strip and alas, we arrived at Las Cabanas.

So much more cozier with beachfront cabanas calling our names. There were hammocks too. What a find… perfect place to chill with a good book.

I snooped inside and was impressed with the lushly landscaped grounds. I catch sight of what seemed like well-appointed cottages. A nice, quiet place to escape the crowds, if that is what’s preferred. Lunch was quite good – served family style.

Guests leaned towards families – tranquil waters and a secluded beach plays a big part for sure.

Facing west and unobstructed, Corong Corong is known for its glorious sunsets the same way the town isn’t.

We however decided to miss the sunset and head back to town early, take a nice shower, enjoy a shot or two of the ginger-flavored rum at La Salangane before devouring a delightful “brick-oven” pizza. A good reason to miss the sunset, you think?

Posted on July 18, 2012August 6, 2012 by Jenn 0

Off To El Nido…

And so we got up early the next day, had breakfast, and before we knew it, the van we booked ahead to take us to El Nido came, earlier than expected.

The 5-hour ride was uneventful with several toilet stops along the way. Except for the last stretch of unpaved road due to road repairs and widening – I’ll say about an hour left of travel time – the ride was pretty smooth albeit a bit cramp. But vans are always a bit cramp. I heard that the RoRo buses have more leg room so that perhaps might be a better option next time.

From the Lexus Company terminal at Calle Lising, a tricycle was the easiest way to get to the El Nido Viewdeck Inn;

a bed and breakfast perched on a hill with a fantastic view of the town and has for its backdrop, limestone walls.

Just a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the town, the Viewdeck Inn provides serenity amidst mountains. From the road, the inn welcomes with a series of steep steps, which leads to their reception area (a down side — if you may call it that — of accommodations set in the mountains).

We were led to climb more steps to get to our cottage and needless to say, we got a good workout during our 4-day stay — the upside, yes? 😉

The room is basic with nothing to rave about save for that wonderful view from our balcony– this is what the place is all about after all. Personally, the bonus is in the coffee. No, it’s not the best coffee I’ve had; in fact it’s a 3-in-1, sometimes a 2-in-1 even. That and a thermos of hot water awaits in our balcony just before we wake up.

A hot cup of coffee with a sunrise view is enough to charm me to pieces and forget that I am drinking instant. Toast, jam and scrambled eggs –breakfast so simple, I love it – follows about half an hour later.

Before heading to town, we chat a bit with the guy at the reception. Mang Rudy, as it turns out, owns and runs the place and when asked if he was the owner, smiling he says “hindi halata no?” (it’s not obvious right?). Well, no Mang Rudy because you wear the oldest, most comfortable t-shirts and shorts, we thought you were the caretaker. And that’s how he likes it. He is the perfect host, taking great care of us and that’s how we like it.

Getting There:

Shuttle Services:

Fortwally Shuttle Services: (63) 917-276-2875 / (63) 921-311-8755

Eulen Joy Shuttle Van: (63) 949-449-8858 / (63) 926-699-8700

Lexus Company: (63) 917-585-9602

RoRo Bus:

Puerto-El Nido: (63) 908-920-2568

El Nido-Puerto: (63) 917-597-1182

Useful Info:

El Nido Viewdeck Inn

Mobile: (63) 927-723-4067 / (63) 947-601-8599

Email: inquiry@elnidoviewdeck.com / inquiry.viewdeck@yahoo.com

Posted on July 9, 2012July 9, 2012 by Jenn 11

A Day in Vientiane

Credits: Page from Kayla’s Tin Album by Shabby Miss Jenn.

The outdoor seating at Dao Fa Bistro called out to us as we walked pass it. We were tired from wandering the streets of Vientiane, visiting temples, doing some window-shopping and some real shopping along the way and resting our weary soles seemed like a good idea.

Right beside our table was a couple chatting over a plate of prosciutto on sliced garlic bread. We decided to order the same.

While we watched the people pass by, we devoured our basket of this heavenly tasting cured ham on garlic bread over iced coffee and cold Beer Lao. How French can you get? Laos was under French rule from 1893-1953, the influence evident in the many French inspired bistros that line the streets.

Our day started early at the LCCT in Malaysia. An early morning flight to Vientiane had us arriving in Laos’ capital at around 9AM. A taxi prearranged with our hotel was waiting for us outside the Wattay International Airport. “Welcome to Vientiane” the driver greeted us. A friendly guy wanting to know more – where are we from, how long we’re staying, where else we’re going, so on and so forth. What a nice start to our Laos adventure, me think!

After 15-20 minutes probably (I was so deep in conversation with the taxi driver, I lost track of time), we arrived at what looked like a pink colonial 3-storey building on an unpaved road across the Mekong River. We thanked the driver and paid him Kip 64,000, equivalent to US$ 8 for the pick up.

The cool modern design of the interior was a contrast to the colonial style exterior. The color maintained the same scheme of pink and light blue of the exterior. We were told to wait as they fix our room and we can wait at The Spirit House, the restaurant next door.

It was 10AM so we opted to share an Egg’s Benedict, just enough to satisfy our hunger but leaving space for lunch. This was the first of many good meals throughout this trip. But I was expecting that and would have been disappointed if our meal were anything less than good. In 2008, when I first visited Laos, I was amazed to find the food here superb – Laotian, French or a fusion of both. Not leaving out the charm of Laos, the food was one major reason why I went back and writing to you about it.

Hotel Beau Rivage Mekong is a boutique hotel sitting on a quieter stretch (road still unpaved) of Fa Ngum Road, a short distance from the center of town where the main “riverside scene” is.

The Mekong River albeit practically dry in January serves as its main charm – great sunsets over cocktails is the main lure of their restaurant, The Spirit House. A superior room would have the river view

while a standard room at US$ 53, had the garden view.

Our room was predictably pink – clean and spacious with a nice corner bar.

Leisurely walking to the main town, we would wander into streets; exploring shops that would catch our fancy when we happened to walk pass Makphet, a restaurant on the top of our list.

We decided that lunch was going to be a little early since we were already there.

And as luck would have it, L’adresse de Tinay, the other restaurant we were eyeing was right beside so we made dinner reservations before we continued our exploring.

Clockwise: Grilled Beef Filet wrapped in Betel leaves with soy chili sauce, Green Mango Salad, Crispy Fried Mekong Fish with Sweet and Sour Tamarind Sauce, Red Hibiscus & Lime Breeze.

Ranked by the 2009-2010 Miele Guide as one of the best restaurant in Asia, Makphet is a nice cozy restaurant serving modern Lao cuisine. Not only do they serve wonderful food here, they are a “training restaurant” as well.

A training restaurant consists of culinary instructors from organizations such as Friends International to train homeless children and youths in the kitchen and in the front of house. The group now run and support similar projects in Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Honduras, Mexico, Egypt and Myanmar. Needless to say, the dishes we chose were excellent and service was good. They taught them well. Be sure to get there earlier as the place can get packed.

* More on Makphet here.

Stuffed yet happy to be ticking off one item off our long list so early in the trip. We walked to Haw Phra Kaew, once a royal temple of the Laotian monarchy that now houses a decent museum of Laotian art. Built in 1565 by King Sethathirath as his private sanctuary. This charming temple used to house the famous Emerald Buddha, which is today housed in Bangkok.

Intricately designed columns surround the temple

and buddhas grace the hallways where many still worship.

Practically across Haw Phra Kaew on Setthathirath Rd. is Wat Si Saket – a favorite and no doubt one of the most beautiful in Vientiane. Both are important Buddhist sites but the latter is known to be the oldest temple still standing.

Modernization: This was what greeted us at the entrance.

Built Siamese (Thai) style rather than Lao style, which could have saved the temple from destruction when the Siamese army destroyed and burned most of Vientiane in 1828. The French restored the temple in 1924 and again in 1930. The sim or the ordination halls stands in the middle of a square cloister.

Thousand of small niches were built at the outer walls of the cloister with small Buddha images on each niche. On shelves in front of the wall are three rows of Buddhas in various shape and size.

Along the edge of the cloister were potted plants abundantly blooming bringing life to the faded yellow walls and pillars, exuding a tranquil charm all its own.

Dinner at L’adresse de Tinay was the perfect cap to our tiring yet beautiful day in Vientiane. Tomorrow, we journey on to a Vang Vieng. L’adressee is so to speak the newest kid in town serving outstanding French cuisine. When we arrived, we were shown to the table we personally picked that afternoon. A young man in black came out to greet us and get our orders. Deliberating on what to order, the young man started giving his two cents worth and recommendations, owning up to the dishes when it hit me… “Are you the chef?” I asked and he smiled and humbly introduced himself as Chef Tinay.

Trained in France, he went back home and opened this gem of a place with the help of his French wife, Delphine.

Main dishes: Duck Confit served as a cassoulet with Toulouse Sausage in sweet garlic cream (bottom left); Perfectly cooked Rack of Lamb (bottom right)

Everything we had from start to finish was excellent, ending with Delphine’s Limoncello, which she herself served. Excellent French meal for US$ 40 per person… can you actually believe that?

* More on L’Adresse de Tinay here.

And with that we went to bed pleased at how well the day went.

Useful Info:

Hotel Beau Rivage Mekong

Fa Ngum Road,

Ban Seetarn Neua,

Vientiane, Laos

+85621-243-350

Email: contact@hbrm.com

Makphet

Behind Wat Ong Teu parallel to Sethathirat Road,

Vientiane, Laos

+85621-260-587

Email: Makphet@friends-international.org

L’adresse de Tinay

Behind Wat Ong Teu parallel to Sethathirat Road,

Vientiane, Laos

+85620- 913-434

Email: ladressedetinay@gmail.com

Posted on March 27, 2012June 7, 2012 by Jenn 9

Prelude To A Great Adventure

We were squished in a corner at the back of the mini van that was to take us westbound to Moalboal. The van leaves when it is full and another one takes its place, taking in more passengers.

We only had time for a quick brunch at One Citilink Terminal before the conductor started calling for passengers. There was no leg room where I was sitting in the van; I had to sit up the entire 2 hours to Moalboal. I could not be happier to stretch my legs finally when we got off. And even more so that we are to embark on a new adventure. Yay!

Boasting of world-class dive spots, Moalboal has been a favorite haunt of serious divers since the ‘70s. Diving, snorkeling and beach combing aside, a new adventure has emerged a few years ago in this side of Cebu. This led us to Club Serena.

Where the van dropped us off, we took a tricycle to the resort. The chatty tricycle driver offered to take us island hopping, snorkeling… “Makakamura ho kayo (it will cost you less)”, he said. I would have taken his offer except that we had more than just snorkeling and island hopping in mind.

Beach in front of the resort

In the outskirts of Moalboal is White Beach and lying at the end away from the busier Panagsama Beach is Club Serena.

Stunning hues of blue from sea to sky is supposedly typical throughout Cebu.

Although both beach share a coastline, separated only by coves and rocks, White Beach also known as Basdaku (which means big sand in Cebuano) has a wide stretch of sand. Panagsama Beach, however, plays hosts to many bars and restaurants but has no real sand to boast. Typhoons and bad coastal management has left the beach of Panagsama rocky and without sand. Depending on preference, I’m glad we ended up in quiet White Beach.

Honey for sale outside the resort.

Possibly the most expensive resort along the strip, Club Serena has 8 rooms scattered around its grounds.

We took the Beachfront Suite, which they also call the Honeymoon Suite (perfect actually for honeymooners but that was not what we were there for).

Fits all 4 but 2 had to sleep on mattresses.

The suite comes with a room that is big enough to fit 4 of us, it also has a living and dining area where we would hangout and read.

Albeit slow, the clubhouse just across our suite whips up wonderfully prepared Asian dishes and having all our meals there during our stay was a delight.

Having breakfast before we went off to our adventure.

An activity center offering a wide array of activities from diving to dolphin watching to canyoning was the reason we decided to splurge on the resort. The resort alone with its many cozy corners, a nice pool and well-appointed rooms is already worth the splurge.

Having an activity center that arranges all your activities so close by was icing on the cake.

Over a late lunch when we arrived, our guide came up to brief us on tomorrow’s activity. What to bring, what not to bring, what to expect, taking note too that one of our companion was over 60. He seemed worried but was assured when he learned that our friend has climbed Mt. Kanlaon many times. More than what I can say for myself.

We spent the rest of the day chilling.

We slept, read, and enjoyed the sunset over some wine and cheese until it was time for dinner.

The owner threw a party that night hence the nicely set-up tables. It went till the wee hours of the morning but we were too tired to care. 🙂

What a perfect prelude to exceptional activities to come. Stay tuned.

Useful Info:

One Citilink Terminal

N. Bacalao Avenue, near Cebu City Medical Center & Cebu Technological Center

Club Serena

For reservations:

Telephone: +63 32-417-2445

Mobile: +63 920-902-8888 / +63 917-623-6057

Posted on February 15, 2012February 21, 2012 by Jenn 6

travel tales, gustatory delights and beyond

Hostal Patria

La Plaza Mayor and People Watching

Delightful Cheap Eats

The Glorious Churros con Chocolate

Oreja de Cerdo a la Plancha — Roasted Pork Ear

Treasure Hunting at El Rastro

Entertainment at the Rastro

A blowtorch made by Anton’s descendant. How likely is that?

As in from Baixa.

Useful Info:

References:

Portuguese Fado Music 101 – About. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://worldmusic.about.com/od/europeanjudaica/p/PortugueseFado.htm

Credits: Quickpage from 4EVER kit by Sarah H.

Chicken Piri Piri at Bonjardim

Maritime Bounty

The Ubiquitous Bacalhau

Bacalhau Rice

Sardinhas

Another popular sardine dish— Sardinhas de Escabeche, fried sardines marinated in olive oil, vinegar, onions and bay leaves.

Caldeirada

Porco

Leitão

Bifana

Tendhina, a hole in the wall in Rossio serving lovely sandwiches.

May not look very appetising but this sandwich is heavenly.

Caldo Verde

Feijoada

Doces

Pasteis de Belem

Sintra’s Travesseiros and Queijadas

Useful Info:

Credits: Quickpage from JSprague’s 4ever kit, created by Brenda Neuberger

Rows of flowers grown near the house brightens up the already pretty site.

Mt. Iraya peeking out of the clouds as seen from the plaza.

Getting There:

Useful Info:

Credits: Page from Kayla’s Tin Album by Shabby Miss Jenn.

Clockwise: Grilled Beef Filet wrapped in Betel leaves with soy chili sauce, Green Mango Salad, Crispy Fried Mekong Fish with Sweet and Sour Tamarind Sauce, Red Hibiscus & Lime Breeze.

* More on Makphet here.

Modernization: This was what greeted us at the entrance.

Main dishes: Duck Confit served as a cassoulet with Toulouse Sausage in sweet garlic cream (bottom left); Perfectly cooked Rack of Lamb (bottom right)

* More on L’Adresse de Tinay here.

Useful Info:

Beach in front of the resort

Stunning hues of blue from sea to sky is supposedly typical throughout Cebu.

Honey for sale outside the resort.

Fits all 4 but 2 had to sleep on mattresses.

Having breakfast before we went off to our adventure.

The owner threw a party that night hence the nicely set-up tables. It went till the wee hours of the morning but we were too tired to care. 🙂

Useful Info: