Batanes is one of the places that you can’t get over with. I still can’t get over it especially when I saw a time lapse video this morning as tweeted by TourismPinas.
When I checked on the name of the videographer, it turned out that I know the person. I asked for his permission to post this video and share it with you.
Full Credits of the video: Bong Bajo
Watch Batanes in Time Lapse:
I also shot a video of Batanes but haven’t had time to edit it yet. haha. backlogs.
In every place you visit, treat your taste buds to new discoveries. It’s part of getting to know the culture of the people and experiencing the destination.
In my visit to Ho Chi Minh City, I didn’t expect that I would love eating Ph? (noodle soup) and drinking cà phê s?a ?á (Vietnamese Iced Coffee).
Vietnamese cuisine was a sweet surprise because in the Philippines I didn’t like this caramelized porkloin rice toppings that I ate in one of the Vietnamese food chains. That was my first taste of Vietnamese food. I gave it a second chance. This time, it’s authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City.
Here’s my list of places to eat when you’re in Uncle Ho’s city:
1. QUAN AN NGON (160 Pasteur St., Dist. 1, HCMC)
If you’re looking for great food, ambiance, and value for money, then Quan An Ngon should be on the top of your list. This was recommended by fellow Pinoy Travel Bloggers. Thank you PTB!
The French colonial-inspired facade of Quan An Ngon might seem intimidating. It looked like an expensive place and you might skip it if you’re on a budget. But don’t let that “rich-ambient-looking” facade fool you.
At the entrance, the staff would readily assist you to a vacant table. We were so happy that we tried eating at Quan An Ngon despite walking, crossing in between motorcycles up to the point of getting lost. The food was worth the sweat!
When the staff handed the menu, we asked about their specialties. The staff recommended the following:
Cost: 48,000 VND /Php 100 / $ 2.00
Cost: 52,000 VND/ Php 109.00 / $2.50
Cost: 50,000 VND/ Php 105.00 / $2.40
Total Dine-in cost: Php 400.00 (with the drinks included) for 3 people.
2. PHO 2000 (1-3 Pan Chu Trinh, adjacent to Ben Thanh Market)
-If you’re looking for good-tasting Ph?, then Pho 2000 is your best bet. Its location is strategic. It’s adjacent to Ben Thanh Market.
Pho 2000 was again a recommendation by a Filipino friend who lived in Vietnam for a time. Thanks Amiel! This Ph? food chain is also popular because former US president Bill Clinton once dined there. Since then, they marketed the place as “Ph? for the president.” They displayed photos of Clinton on their walls.
Cost: 45,000 VND /Php 94.00 / $ 2.16
Cost: 55,000 VND / Php 115.40 / $ 2.64
Cost: 17,000 VND / Php 35.65 / $0.82
Note: The waiter would give you wet wipes along with what you ordered. When you use it, you would have to pay for it as well. Wet wipes here are not for free.
3. Nhà hàng MIMOSA (88 Bui Vien St.)
-Nhà hàng means restaurant. We were so hungry after the Cu chi tunnel tour and was walking along Bui Vien St. to find a place to eat. A staff of the restaurant invited us to try out their food. Because we’re really hungry, we entered the small resto.
Cost: 35,000 VND / Php 73.40 / $1.68
Cost: 75,000 VND/ Php 157.32 / $3.60
4. Ph? 24 (Ben Thanh Market)
- On our last day in HCMC, we tried Ph? 24, a popular fast food chain in Vietnam. Compared to other pho places, this has a more modern look and ambiance. As much as I wanted to try their pho, my taste buds were craving for rice. Yes, rice! Pinoy ako e. Naumay din sa pho. hehe
Cost: 50,000 VND /Php 104.88 / $ 2.40
And now after writing this, I miss Vietnam and its food. In the Philippines, I know of three Vietnamese restaurants (Pho hoa, Pho bac, Pho24). Still, the authentic taste is different.
What are your favorite Vietnamese food? What other restaurants would you recommend?
Going to Hong Kong Disneyland in December was magical. It seemed like yesterday but it has been a year since I lived my childhood wonders of seeing my favorite characters. It’s every child’s fantasy land, especially for those who grew up watching Disney movies. I was one of them.
The popular theme park in Lantau Island, Hong Kong covered hundreds of hectares in land area and a day of roaming was not enough. Hence, Mama and I had to choose what to see and experience. A map would be given to you as soon as you buy your ticket at the park’s ticket counter.
Being art lovers, Mama and I chose to watch the Theater Acts: Golden Mickey and the Lion King. These were two of the attractions that you shouldn’t missed when you’re in Hong Kong Disneyland.
The schedules of the acts can be seen on the map. We chose to watch the Golden Mickey first. The Golden Mickey Theater was huge. It has two screens on the side where English Translations were displayed.
I was surprised when I heard Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse talking in Cantonese. haha. But I know I shouldn’t be, since I’m in the Special Administrative Region of China. It just seemed so weird to hear them speaking in a foreign language. The translations on the side screen somehow helped me understand the conversation.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the production number especially the dance of Beauty and the Beast.
Other Disney characters like Ariel of the Little Mermaid and Quasimodo of Hunchback of Notre Dame also performed in the show. The show ran for almost an hour.
Here’s a slideshow of the Golden Mickey:
Afterwards, we wandered and proceeded to the Festival of the Lion King. Unlike the first one, the Lion King theater has a smaller venue. The stage was enclosed by the benches for the audience. It’s less formal than the Golden Mickey Theater. But when the show began, it did not fail my expectations.
The production number and the props were awesome. The Firedancers and the music were entertaining. This has more audience than the Golden Mickey so be there early. There were different show times throughout the day.
Mama and I enjoyed the show but it would have been a lot better if Papa and my brothers were there with us. Nonetheless, it was fun-filled! Definitely, it’s a must-see for every kid and kids at heart.
Chinese cuisine is one of the best cuisines in the world. Though Chinese restaurants mushroomed in the Philippines, it was my goal to eat authentic Chinese cuisine in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China.
The quest for authentic Chinese cuisine began as soon as night fell one cold December in Kowloon. The temperature dropped to 13 degrees celsius. Mama and I braved the chilling weather as we wandered along Woosung Street. A few blocks away from Evergreen Hotel, we found this shabby canteen where a lot of locals dine. The atmosphere was reminiscent of Binondo’s China Town. I didn’t get the name of the canteen. It was written in Chinese characters but it’s between the New Delhi and Indian Food Resto in Woosung.
The ‘Unnamed’ Canteen
At first, Mama was hesitant to give it a try but I said, “Locals eat here. Maybe, they serve delicious food.” And so we sat down at one of the chairs surrounding a round table. The staff handed us the menu–of course everything was written in their language. So we just pointed what we like: Sweet and Sour Pork and Yang Chow.
They first gave us a bowl of tea. I remembered J’s reminder: The tea is for washing the chopsticks and the utensils. It’s not for drinking. And so we rinsed the utensils with tea.
I was surprised when the staff served our orders. Wow! Large servings of Yang Chow and Sweet and Sour pork, which can be eaten by three to four people. It was a good decision to eat at that canteen. Their interiors and surroundings may not be high-class but the food was really good.
And so the bill came (drum roll please!)…70 HKD (1HKD= Php 6.00). It’s Php 420.00 for two viands. We could have just ordered the Yang Chow. Nonetheless, the stomachs were filled. Burp!
Delicious Cafe
The following night, we tried eating at Delicious Cafe beside Evergreen Hotel. Compared to the previous canteen, Delicious Cafe has a better ambiance. It’s also airconditioned. What I like about this restaurant was their set meal. The noodle soup is partnered with a drink. It’s affordable.
Mama ordered noodle soup fish fillet cutlet with scrambled egg and honeyed lemon tea while I ordered noodle soup with porkchop and milk tea. Milk tea is love 
sarap!
The fish fillet cutlet meal costs 25 HKD or Php 150.00 while the Porkchop meal costs 24HKD or Php 144.00
Another Noodle Eatery
During our last night in Kowloon, we decided to still eat noodles. After all, sipping soup in a cold night was satisfying. We went to Saigon St. corner Woosung Street where we found another eatery which signage was written in Chinese characters.
The area was smaller than the previous ones. The set-up of the tables and chairs was the usual that you’d see in an eatery.
Bowl of Noodles with Shrimp Worton- Price 15HKD or Php 90
Bowl of Noodles with beef brisket- Price: 19 HKD or Php 114.00
Honeyed Lemon tea- Price: 12HKD or Php 72.00
Vegetables (Blanched Green leafy veggies)- Price: 6 HKD or Php 36.00
Red Lemon Tea- Price 10 HKD or Php 60.00
The taste buds and the stomach were satisfied but the wallet was not. Yes, the food in Hong Kong was not cheap. Nonetheless, I enjoyed every bit of our quest for the authentic Chinese cuisine.
Travel Notes: