Lunch at Pho Hoa

I've tried a lot of cuisine and Vietnamese cuisine is certainly different and yet delicious.

their food is healthier than filipino and thai food. they use a lot of leaves and vegetables.

If you are looking for a healthy and good tasting fusion of meat and veggies, then Pho Hoa is your cup of tea.

Their local hot sauce. 

minty tasting leaves, and bean sprouts seasoned with lemons

Pho Nam, Gan, Ve Don (Flank, Tendon, and Brisket Pho) i added some bean sprouts for more flavor. i must admit their food is health conscious, the taste is good but if your looking for more salt and more flavor, then this is not your cup of tea. The soup was delicious, it was nothing like i tasted before. it was veggy - like, meaty - like, and herb - like taste. it was refreshing. 

Fresh Spring Roll Vegetarian / Shrimp and Pork (Rice paper, assorted vegetables, pork, and shrimp). The sauce was superb, it was sweet, nutty like flavor. the ingredients was very fresh, the meat was tender, i would like to eat this spring roll everyday. A must try! 

Grilled Pork, Fried Spring Rolls, and Rice. The meat was tender, but ordinary in taste - and yet still good. I haven't tried the fried spring roll since my father, attacked it like a freed wild cat. the rice was delicious (it has this meat and veggie taste in which i find it delighting and different.. 

Fried bananas with ice cream. the fried bananas were sweet and delightful. the ice cream was ordinary. the whole package was great and very flavorful.

Merienda @ Dulcinea

It's been ages since i had eaten some of the scrumptious pastries of dulcinea. all these never failed to satisfy my cravings.

I had light breakfast in a little plate filled with spaghetti. so before we go to mass, we took a quick bite at Dulcinea - SM Megamall.

Menu:

Moritos (sort of cream puff but the filling is lighter and the bread is much thicker - it is covered in chocolate) are light in sweetness. it's a little tough to eat but it's very very good to partner with coffee. it's very moist inside, you can taste the sweetness of the milky filling then the brittleness of the coated chocolate.

This is my favorite, eclair. the bread was soft - but not too soft, chocolate coating was so good (not so sweet), the filling was brilliant (not so sweet also). a classic blockbuster.

The churros is another hit. the fried bread was crisp in the outside and very soft in the inside. there was no oil in the taste. The chocolate was like a combination of dark, and milk chocolate but it was hot and sweet. 

Coron, Palawan Natural Paradise

Palawan province is very much gifted with it's natural resources (from tourist attractions, to natural resources). I'm fortunate enough to see it's wonderful natural structures and places. the province is so breath taking. It's like angels came down and play in this town. 

We were so fortunate that our trip from manila via pal was on time (as trip to busuanga is often delayed)

Palawan is the complete opposite of boracay. 

Peace and Quiet

No Party

Ultimate relaxation

Diving

FOOD!

I haven't got any chance to take picture of the foods that we have eaten but as far as i can remember, the best food that i ate was the Blue Marlin salsa w/ Mango (that was so heavenly). The breakfast was so good you have a plateful of rice, fish, meat, sausage, fruits (you can choose n what type you like - can be asian, continental, hawaiian, etc.)

Please do visit coron and stay at divelink resort! it's the best!

Dive Link is on a separate island, from the town, you'll take a quick 10-15min boat ride.

so beautiful!

Heading back home was the saddest part of the vacation, and to make it more aggravating, our flight was delayed for 2 hours due to rain.

Lunch at Papa John's

Lunch at Papa John's was so so nothing special. Actually, it's very disappointing and sad. Although presentation of food was great, however, taste quality and food price was a letdown. over all quality is 5. everything was bland, you have to use salt / pepper / dip.

Chicken Platter (3 pcs of Chicken Strips, 3 pcs of Chicken Wings - not available so it was replaced by Mozzarella Sticks, Potato Wedges) - if it wasn't for the dip, the food taste nothing. 

Super Papa's (combination of pepperoni, italian sausage, ham, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives) this specialty of theirs was quite there but does not hit the goal. the crust was good, but the ingredients didn't even have that strong taste that you lookingfor. it was like chewing a piece of pizza for persons with health problems. if it wasn't for the dip (again), salt, pepper, and cheese, then this is more tragic rather than WWI / WWII.

Seafood Carbonara - should i comment on this? it was horrifying. the squid is hard as a rubber, the shrimp didn't taste like shrimp. is this carbonara? i hardly notice.

Seafood Marinara - same as with seafood carbonara, another cause of world war.

Pepperoni Rolls - sad, sad, sad, errr, horrifying.

Papa John's - sad, sad, errr, EXPENSIVE!! not worth the money.

Starbucks, connecting people.

It's Friday! 

I'm not a fan of starbucks but basically 2 things i like about them: White Chocolate Mocha (Hot) and the Turkey Bacon & White Cheddar Classic Breakfast Sandwich.

From Starbucks Web:

Reduced-fat turkey bacon with cage-free egg white and white Cheddar cheese on an English muffin.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (137 g)

Calories 320	Calories from Fat 60
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g	11%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 20mg	7%
Sodium 700mg	31%
Total Carbohydrate 43g	15%
Dietary Fiber 3g	12%
Sugars 6g
Protein 18g
Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 30% Iron 15%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

My Breakfast Meal!

To be honest, I had 2 of this sandwich today since it's been a while since I ate one.

Very Very thick! I still love it! The White Cheese was fantastic. it's not sweet, salty nor sour. the bread was freshly baked ( i love it when they serve their bread hot) the bacon was a little down (less flavor). the turkey was good although it taste a little bit like ham, but it made my morning happy and energized! :)

Air Travel

What the Philippine government lacks is the INITIATIVE.

there are zillions of complaints among low-cost carriers in the PH despite the ballooning growth in airline travel. Please note that Low-Cost carrier is different from Budget. Budget is you pay for everything (in foreign airlines, check-in baggage and use of toilet requires payment) and get measly quality service.

i have read tons of blogs and articles against these low cost carriers, some said: "you get what you paid for" which blatantly wrong. You pay for almost 2,000-4,000 to get to your destination but in return you get mind grinding quality of service.

You paid. meaning you are entitled and it is your right to get quality service.

What you can should do in traveling a low-cost carrier

1) on-time schedule (well, due to naia congestion it may reach a 50-50 chance)
2) book the 1st flight so you don't have to worry on the return aircraft (there are possibilities that it would have technical problems)
3) check-in early so you wouldn't get bumped off due to overbooking.
4) do confirm your flight at least 3 times and document everything!
5) upon purchasing, check all items! you may clicked on insurance or other stuff that made it more expensive.
6) do not always believe that there are engine failures! these are lies that they can easily escape.
7) read the fine print of the ticket.

Here is my painful experience with Cebu Pacific:

Nov 1, 2011 (UNDAS) it's a 4 day holiday that is hugely celebrated in the Philippines.

people go to provinces to visit the dead, and some go on a vacation. Meaning Airports, Seaports, Bus Terminals are jam-packed.

My Dad and I are scheduled for a 1:30pm flight to Bacolod,

we checked in around 10am because cebu pacific check-in counters can get very chaotic (long ques). then Dad wants to check in our luggage, however we haven't availed to have luggage allowance. so that's fine, no fault on cebu pacific.

Good thing I bought my laptop with me! (i always bring my laptop with me - to kill time). then i looked on my watch, It's already 1:10pm and we are not called for boarding. Then i told myself, ah! this is expected. then we will board within an hour or two. but no!!! there were no announcement until 5pm.

My father and i went to the gate. upon arrival: there were like 400 people and the gate is good to handle 100 passengers only.

Looks like this: you can't even sit on the floor. You have to go upstairs just to able to sit.

All Afternoon flights are delayed. Sad for the waiting passengers. 

all caticlan flight were cancelled. People are mad, hungry, and exhausted. - They were re-routed to Kalibo.

I was getting impatient, my dad is diabetic, we were hungry, stuffy terminal, children crying. this was hell.

these were the answers of the people of cebu pacific (very very practiced):

1) due to engine failure

2) due to delayed return aircraft

3) safety issues (really? even if it's an A320?)

7:30pm! finally! boarding. there was apologies at the airlines end, but it was not sincere. the ground staffs were not helpful at all. 

we were given a small bottle of mineral water, and a jollibee hotdog sandwich. - After almost 7.5 hours of waiting, they just gave us this. i was hungry (i was not able to buy snacks since food prices in the airport doubles). then we took the bus going to the aircraft - picture me like a wandering hermit.

there was a sense of relief when i was able to enter the aircraft, and sat in the 1st row (more leg room!). The plane was new as in fresh from the factory effect.

The FAs didn't even bother to apologize for the inconvenience that the airline caused.  

we were able to leave the apron, only to found out that our aircraft was in line for take-off. it was 8:15pm.

 9:00am take off. arrived at the Bacolod-Silay airport around 10pm. plans were ruined.

I vowed never to take cebu pacific again. i really never cared for the amount. But because PAL at that time, had no more available seats. then no choice.


To found out that sometimes, Cebu Pacific sells higher prices than PAL (btw, you really achieve quality service)

I encountered some bubus with PAL (who doesn't?) but despite that all, I remained loyal to them.

1) They tell what is the real problem
2) I was disappointed when they outsourced ground staff, because they handle passengers well. they can squeeze you in for earlier flight if available.
3) they give meals right away upon 3 hours of delay.
4) FAs are very courteous, apologetic, and sincere about the delay.

BTW, we encountered a 4 hour delay with PAL and ground staff back then handled it like a pro even if angry passengers are threatening to sue them! she was solid.

Also, PAL gave not snacks during the flight, but hot meals.

PAL knows how to compensate - well, at least as far as i know. but i know there are traumatizing events that happened to other passengers.

Although from this incident: you may think twice again for low-cost carriers: Airine Bullying

International wise - PAL has no problems (well, in so far i encountered) - very good international product.

If the difference with PAL and other low cost airlines are around 300-400 better opt to go to PAL. to avoid such hassle. :)

Colorful Bangkok Temple

Bangkok is so wonderful! (besides the heat).

There are lots of things to do in bangkok besides shopping! you can visit a lot of places and just have fun! 

there are so many magnificent architectures, designs and details that you can't miss!

it's so refreshing and very heart warming! :)