My Japanized palate to celebrate my __ birthday!

What does January 23, 2012 mean? Well, for our Chinese brothers or our Tsinoy kababayans it is the start of the 15 day New Year Celebration as they welcome the year of the Water Dragon. For non Chekwa folks, it means a glorious non-working holiday. Yahooo! No usual Monday EDSA madness!! And for me, an ordinary me, it means it's my birthday. Oh yes, believe me I am nearing the end of the calendar, papunta na ng BINGO numbers hahaha!

So how did I spend my birthday? Well let me start first by saying a big thanks to PNoy who declared this day a holiday. I was initially planning to take a birthday leave so I can celebrate it without thinking about work. Once a year lang naman e.

Birthday lunch was something new. We just had to try Little Tokyo in Makati. Little Tokyo is a compound in Makati made up of 13 Japanese restaurants. These restaurants are authentic Jap restos that are owned by Jap people and kitchen-managed by a Jap chef served to everyone who wants a taste of good ol' JapJap food.

Although most of the restaurants have their own entryway, you can go through this pseudo wooden bridge that welcomes you to Little Tokyo! It's right beside the Hot Pot Jap Style Restaurant.

Welcome to Little Tokyo! *sabay bow*

Since we went there for lunch, there were just a few folks in the area. The area looked sad but I know that during night time, the compound is definitely alive!

The compound share a common garden with tables set up all over.

center of the garden

Among the 13 restaurants, we chose to eat at Hana. The word "Hana" means flower in Japanese (Kana is another similar name, also in Japanese). Why did we choose Hana? Because Bugoy heard about its authentic tokoyaki and wanted to try it so off we went!

tako,takota...tako, takota. TAKOYAKI!!!

When it comes to Jap food. hindi ko uurungan ang Sashimi!!! pwera lang sa wasabi paste. So I really requested to order it. This is the Maguro Tuna (Php280). Maguro Tuna (mah-goo-roh) is a Japanese term for bluefin tuna which is one of the most eaten in sashimi dishes.

First bite and first reaction: "aahh fresh. sarap!!
Second reaction: "gusto ko pa!! *sabay second helping*
Third reaction: *maanghang na ha!!* (blame wasabi)

But, no kidding. It really melts in your mouth!

As the fish is the quintessential ingredient sought after by sushi/sashimi lovers, it is of utmost importance that the meat is fresh (eg. no blotchy dark spots, no funny smell and as with most tuna cuts, it's bright pink -- although some meats are redder and that's ok. Some other types of tuna are even naturally colored brown!).

Define FRESH!!

We also got this interesting dish called Tako Karaage (Php 120). It's a dish made of deep fried octopus strips. Actually, bite size pieces sya. But not that bite friendly, matigas. I don't know if deep fried octopus is meant to be like that. ikaw na ba naman, i-deep fry di ka titigas?? BUT... surprisingly, when you eat it with lemon plus dip it in salt, black sesame seeds it tastes good.

We also got the Crab Chahan (Php 180), a fluffy stir fry of rice, carrot, bell peppers, egg and crab.

My eternal favorite that needs no introduction! California Maki (Php 200 for 6 pieces) 

So over all, we did enjoy our JapJap experience. The food was great and at an affordable price compared to those Jap restos in the mall. The place/dining area, well, since we ate at lunch time, the al fresco dining concept wasn't maximized. I'm sure the place would be lovelier at night and more alive. We'll surely be back to try JapJap dinner there soon.

After this blarb of food photos, Kung Hei Fat Choi (Cantonese) to you. Kiong Hee Huat Tsai (if you prefer Hokkien) to you dear reader! But whatever Chinese dialect you speak; a happy birthday makes sense to me today. A new year indeed! What better way to celebrate than through food! Yes? :)

How about you, how did you spend the Chinese new year? 

The Trip that TS Falcon threatened - Part II

This post summarizes day 2 of our trip. If you haven't yet, you may read through part 1 here. 


The following day, we continued our trip at 1PM - this was the other half of the tour. Too bad (tropical storm) Falcon was nearing Ilocos that time so it was raining harder than ever. But no amount of rain can dampen my spirits that time as today's agenda: the southern part of Pagudpud!!

Day 2, first stop: the much awaited Bangui Windmills! Soooo majestic!! and not to mention huge!!!! I was really in awe, hindi ako nakapagsalita when I got off the trike and saw them for the first time. Nakanganga lang ata ako, I'm sure sabi ng isa sa mga windmills: "eng eng ata tong babaeng to!!!" 

Who would not be amazed at this?? (it was really cloudy that day, as you can see in the photos but my heart was jumping for joy for my prayers were answered: the rain really stopped every time we arrive at our destination!)

even with dark clouds looming over it, the windmills still look majestic as ever.

I had one wish that time: to go inside one of the windmills and go up and see the whole area! You see, at the foot of the structure, there's a heavy duty door that takes one inside the tube and up. Although I am not sure if civilians are allowed to go in but I was desperate and I was ready to beg so I can go in. desperada lang! 

Funny thing is, when I went near one structure, I had a sudden flashback of several gory scenes from the FINAL DESTINATION series. Why, you say? The wind was so strong that time that the sound emitted by the blades were stronger than ever. My imagination was acting up that time and I was anticipating that the blades may come off the hinge and go straight to my neck!! Jusme!!! Perfect, would definitely make it to FINAL DESTINATION part.. err 15. 

black sand

wind was soo strong that day

Near the structures, there are little nipa houses that sell souvenirs: little wood replicas of the windmills, keychain, ref magnets. We got some for pasalubong, we didn't really haggle so we can help out with the local livelihood. Plus I know that they make it on site because we saw some raw materials. They gave us free paper weights with the Bangui Windmills lettering on on them. Good job!

Up next, we went to a rather odd natural structure but very beautiful: the Kapurpurawan Rocks. In the local dialect this means whiteness (kaputian). And literally the structure really screamed Mestiza ako!!

To reach the rocks, from the jump off point, we had to go down a long concrete stairs and pass through a natural vegetation.

 

photo taken from the bottom of the stairs

beautiful vegetation, everything spells GREEN! If I'm not mistaken, I saw some bonsai plants scattered in the area.

Isn't it beeyyoootiful? I feel like I'm in the middle of a huge water basin with this mountain ranges around me

looking so small compared to my surroundings (well, I am really small even on normal circumstances haha!)

Bugoy happily standing in the midst of all whiteness

waves crashing at the bottom of the rocks

These are hardened sand, it may not look that white here due to the rains. It actually looks like a hardened chalk!

The uneven patters are due to the constant exposure to the sea water (erosion too) and the wind.

The large head, for me it looked it like merlion hahah! But the head really commanded presence while it faced the waters.

the waves

Us in the massive rock. Thank you Kuya Arnel!

Last stop of the day was another famous landmark: the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse or the Burgos Lighthouse. This lighthouse is now a protected cultural structure in Ilocos which was build during the Spanish period in the Philippines. Now why is it called Cape Bojeador? Simply because the structure is perched on top of a hill overlooking Cape Bojeador where the old Spanish galleons used to set sail. 

from the parking lot, visitors have to endure climbing up a flight of concrete stairs to reach the main courtyard. I decided to count it but when I reach mid 20 steps, I lost count and I didn't have the heart to go back and start from 1. 

few steps. rest. repeat 20X

Once you get into the courtyard, you need to go up a few steps before you get to the foot of the lighthouse. Once there you will notice that the while courtyard and structure itself is made of red bricks that have aged gracefully and naturally. Its main enemies: time, hard winds and rains. As this structure was first lit March 1892, this has been standing for more than a century. And its original mechanism has sadly been damaged when a massive earthquake hit the area in 1990. Right now the area is being closely guarded and preserved as it was a National Historical Landmark last August 2004 and a National Treasure on June 2005.


Entrance to the foot of the lighthouse requires one to walk by a short hallway (left picture below). On the left side is a door leading to a museum that showcases the history of the lighthouse. Passing through the museum felt creepy, fortunately it was closed when we visited. After the hallway, you then need to go up a few steps (right photo, below) to really reach a main entrance of the lighthouse itself. I was really looking forward to going up and see the view from the top but it was closed to visitors that time plus it was anticipating a storm.

CREEPY

Even if I wasn't able to go up, I took all the beauty in. No matter how tiring it was to climb it, the view from the top is just awweeesome! Worth every single step!

Kebs sa dark clouds!!

Cape Bojeador in the horizon

emote

I bet this will not be our last time to visit Pagudpud. I really would love to visit the windmills again when Mr Sun is all out. And probably climb up, too? :)

GBS Review: The Day My Feet Turned Pink

Last July, I got into the group buying site craze. My constant on the look out for deals got me to reserve two vouchers for a 90 minute massage plus foot Spa. And did I mention that it was only for Php200 each?? For someone who pays Php300 for an hour's worth of  massage, this was a good deal! Ay, excuse me, book agad! I got the vouchers for Islands Massage Mobile and Day Spa through Deal Grocer. Not bad, not bad at all. But I was worried after hearing horror stories about buying stuff online so we will see. I called them up (Islands), as instructed, to set a date and time for this activity and true enough a lot of people caught up the craze too and they were booked up! So I set it up for January instead, on a weekend.

So the months passed by and I forgot I actually reserved a date for this! I remember feeling uneasy, you know that feeling that you forgot something? Well I didn't know what it was until I called the morning of our reserved date! If I forgot, ayayay!! I would have forfeited the vouchers, goodbye Php400! So off we went to Islands Massage and Spa. 

You would miss the location if you don't look closely enough, although there's a huge tarpaulin outside. 

how it looks outside

When we got in, it was a fairly small establishment, dimly lit too. What I like was the receptionist who was fairly friendly over the phone and was also accommodating when we arrived. We NEVER had problems getting our vouchers honored, which is a good sign (word from the wise: PRINT YOUR VOUCHERS beforehand). Relief on my part, I was mentally planning how to start a fight scene IF they won't honor it! hahah! me and my imagination.

So we got in and sat down on the couch. B noticed a few trophies displayed, something of a consumer's choice award. Another good sign. That actually increased my expectation a bit too.

The foot massage started. It was nothing out of the ordinary if you've tried foot spa before. However, what stood out the most is the foot bath kuno! Look:

Before allowing my feet to be immersed, I asked the therapist what it was. He said it was raspberry foot bath but I had an inkling that, yes, probably there was raspberry liquid in it but it wasn't just that. I would say there was cuticle tint in it or commonly known as Merthiolate. You don't believe me? See for yourself:

my feet when I got home

And I don't think that's because of the raspberry. Naging color pink tuloy paa ko! Grrrrr.... so I didn't like their foot spa services and it wasn't really outstanding.

On other news, we got ushered to their second floor to get our full body massage. I remember the 2nd floor to be very dark, I had to ask the lately to turn on a dim light so I can prepare for the massage. She obliged. Feedback? The massage was very good, or at least from the one I got my my therapist. She knew my cold spots and really worked on them and I like that since my back was really aching. 

Overall, would this be something I would go to even without the promo? The massage, probably, but definitely not the foot spa. Their regular full body massage rate is at Php 250 plus they have some packages too. 

But again, for Php200 this was not a bad deal. Not bad at all. 'Til the next group buying site adventure!

The Trip that TS Falcon threatened - Part 1

Oh yes! A delayed blog entry, I was initially planning to post this on my other blog but decided against it as this was perceived to be a photo heavy post and I have an issue with the amount of time that it takes to post a photo on that site. But I have moved on from that.

As with many of my past/future trips, this northern excursion was brought to me by a seat sale! Oh yes, matiyaga ako sa paghahanap. Bilang travel agent ako for 2 years (international nga lang) plus combine it with my deepest desire to travel, I am determined to find and confirm that discounted seat. And so I did. I booked a ticket for two to travel to Laoag from Manila last June 2011. I was so excited for the trip, happily finalized all my endorsements at work WHEN Tropical Storm Falcon decided to jump in and join us in the Philippine Area of responsibility. But it's cool. I thought and I really prayed to God to bless this trip and that it would push through. By the way, let me just mention that this trip really has a lot of answered prayers. Read on to find out what they were.

After a delay in the flight, the trip pushed through but I got really scared when I realized that we were embarking a small aircraft to Laoag. The whole flight spelled TURBULENCE! kumbaga aalog alog lahat. I even had this weird imagination na dahil seat sale lang kami, naka-upo lang kami sa plastic chair pero may seatbelt! take note, safety first pa rin! hahah!

We arrived at night, so we had to stay overnight in Laoag. Since I didn't make any reservations, we trooped down to this one pink hotel that I remember to be near the bus station going to Laoag. I was really praying to God for an available room so we wouldn't have to go somewhere else and scout. And God heard my prayer, there was an available room and it was at a discounted price! Aha!! See, God provides! :) So we decided to get it. We stayed at La Elliana Hotel.

We got the room for less than a thousand per night, the room amenities were so-so. They're really meant for the budget traveler. Or at least the room we got hahah! However, my main complain was about the hold/cold shower which wasn't working plus the shower knob was kinda broke. Also the room felt dusty, for someone who has rhinitis, I can tell. Here are a few photos of the room we got:

   

hindi naman nila type ang color Blue masyado.

Since we have not eaten dinner yet, we decided to try Ilocano dining. Right across the hotel is a quaint little spot: La Preciosa. It looks very homey, in fact this was a home built in the 1950s and was turned into a restaurant. Some photos below on the interiors.

the staircase leading to the main dining area at the 2nd floor

the yummy cheesecake

how it looks outside.

The food was not that outstanding. I remember ordering a dish called Bagbagis which promised to be fried crisp to perfection but when I bit into it, I couldn't hear the crunch. I was disappointed really. With the local vibe into it, I was expecting it to be like Cafe Laguna or Barrio Fiesta. Oh well. Their redemption factor was the cheesecake.

So after dinner we went back to the hotel since it was pretty late. The good thing about the hotel, it was just 5 minutes away from the bus station that would take us to Pagudpud. Prior to the start of the trip, I've made contact with our tour guide, Kuya Arnel. I got his number from Chyng's blog. You may read about her adventures here. 

So the ff day, off we went to Pagudpud. We took a bus (non aircon) from Laoag to Pagudpud. It was a good two hour ride. Looking at the scenery around me is a refreshing break. Walang tall buildings!! ang saya!!! I remember when we were nearing Pagudpud, I was really on the look out for the windmills. And when I saw them from afar, the happiness I felt!!! Indescribable! Parang pwede na akong mamatay! I promise, the only main reason why I initially chose Pagudpud, Laoag is really to see the famous windmills.

WARNING!! The following will be a web blurb of where we went to. They may not be in the right order... again this was 6 months ago, I admit I wasn't paying attention and writing down everything. My restless feet and I were just soooo excited!!

Welcome!

First stop: 

When Kuya Arnel told me that to reach the location of the falls, there would be a 30-45 minute trek. No worries, again restless feet ito! my main worry at that time was the muddy part on the way up -- but it wasn't really a steep path for the most part. God was soo good, He heard my prayers while I was in the bus and on the trike. It was raining incessantly that day (no thanks to TS Falcon) BUT miraculously, the rain will stop whenever we arrive at our intended location. Amazing right? 

So off we go to the location of the falls, here are some photos on the way

Kuya Arnel didn't go with us to see the falls, most trike/vans drivers just stay behind. But we had a guide (I forgot her name so let's call her Ate). The entrance fee is Php10 per person  plus a Php100 fee for the guide - which really is their main income, support the local community! The guides actually serve as guards too, they make sure that the falls is taken care of and that the surroundings are clean as well. Also, upon entering they maintain a manifest wherein all visitors are asked to log their names so the visitor flow can be tracked.

This has got to be one of my favorite photos of the mountain clearing.

B with our guide. Busy yan sa iPhone to take photos

 Hello kalabaw!

 Aren't you already in love with the surroundings? When we passed by this cold river, one can really smell the freshness of the water and the air. Sarraaap!

 This is just one of the man made kawayan bridges we had to cross. The current was kinda strong that day due to the incessant rains brought by TS Falcon.

 A partial view of the Kabigan Falls. Felt cold near the big drop!

 Since the ground was slippery and not too safe to put up the tripod, we asked Ate to take a photo of us.

 This is my tsamba shot! and one of my favorites too.

 View of the falls

 the walk on the way back to the entrance. Hike ulet! not complaining! :) 


Again, God heard my prayers, when we went up the sun was out!! My heart was singing praises!! Yahoo!! 

 When I saw this, I literally stopped and took everything in. I miss our probinsya.

 I'll never get tired of looking at this. Ganda ng Pilipinas!!

Next stop: the Patapat Viaduct. This viaduct is a concrete structure that stretches for 1.3 km connecting Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. This structure is built side by side the coastal mountains where the Cordillera Mountain Range starts. Isn't it a beauty? If you're headed towards the Cagayan Valley area, to the left of the viaduct is the Pasaleng Bay. This is a 100km bay that faces Babuyan Islands and they say that if you're lucky, you might see some dolphin sightings. I wasn't that lucky that day *sad*

This is us for photo op when the viaduct was empty.

Third stop: Agua Seda picnic park. The area as a lot of cottages  and picnic tables overlooking the Pasaleng Bay. A lot of huge rocks too.

B busy taking photos. Kuya Arnel, naka hands in waist lol

Next we headed over to Timmangtang Rock! You will never miss this rock as it majestically stands in between the shore and partly in the waters. It's called Timmangtang mainly because the rock is bell shaped. When you strike a bell, the sound emitted is like tiiimmmaaannnggtang. Basta yun na yun!

B, nag-eemote

This is me looking, uhm, well, small right next to the mighty rock.

What we visited next is highly regarded as the lover of Timmangtang Rock: the Bantay Abot Cave. You see, they say you cannot separate the two as they are believed to be lovers. The rock as the male and Bantay Abot cave as the female. Interesting story!  


In local dialect, Bantay Abot means "mountain with a hole". A hole was found at the middle of the mountain where the waves were free to flash into its walls just like an open shore until it was wrecked by an earthquake during the 80’s.

This shot was taken when we were at the Timmangtang Rock

This is a view of the Blue Lagoon, we just passed by this area. Again, the sun was out!

Night time came and we went back to the hotel (Villa Del Mar). Beautiful sunset skyline. I remember when I saw this I was really thankful that God heard my fervent prayers for sun to come out. Looking at the photos, one cannot really tell that a typhoon was wrecking Luzon that time. 


And because of the typhoon, I spent a few good minutes checking how things are at work. A lot of people didn't show up in class due to the typhoon and some of my trainers couldn't work too. Haay spell double shift just to cover the other classes whose trainers cannot report for work. I was thankful of my team's dedication that time. But still grateful that everyone's safe.

muni muni while looking at the sea

We had a great time! I remember taking in the feeling of being the in province away from the hustle and bustle of the city... a rare treat! I slept like a baby with only the sound of the waves consistent throughout the night.


A good night sleep indeed to prepare for day 2 of the trip!