Its sad how your childhood memories of food don't match up to the reality these days...

Japan-Hop: KIX Arrival

OSAKA, Japan, 2nd of November 2010 - After a somewhat teeth-gritting afternoon (from the long queue at check-in,  to leaving my favorite hand-carried umbrella behind, to work-related stuff), I finally left on time for my flight from Manila, Philippines to Osaka, Japan. I would be landing at KIX.

Note: Kansai International Airport (KIX)  is situated approximately 50 km from the center of Osaka City.


After going through immigration and getting my luggage, there were a few things I had to attend to according to my mental checklist.

Rent a cellphone vs. Buy a phone card

Unless your situation demands that you be reached 24/7 (having your own cellphone with you at all times is a must), I recommend you go for a phone card. 

It is -

1) way cheaper than renting a cellphone;  

2) public phones which accept coins or phone cards are plentiful in Japan, even in towns up in the mountains, as long as you are not in a cave under the earth.

I asked a few cellphone rental companies at the KIX airport and compared prices. And boy was I glad I didn't buy another cellphone compatible with Japan's system. It would have been quite expensive all around if I sum up all that I would have shelled out.

You have the option of renting - 

a mobile unit which has a Japanese number or;

just the SIM card (with Japan number) which you plug into your CDMA cellphone or;

just a phone unit where you can use your own SIM card which has international roaming. 

Lastly, operating the public pay phones is not that difficult.  You have instructions both in the phone cards and on signs on the machines themselves. 

It is good to buy the phone card at the airport itself since its already there and does not cost more than the usual phone card. Tthere is even a card dispenser upon walking from the plane to the train which takes you to the arrival area. You can ask for help from the Information Counter if you aren't sure about the prefix to use with the number you must call.

A useful public pay phone

Contact Amanto Village (the place I would be staying at)

Amanto Village is ideal if you are a backpacker, you don't have much luggage or you are on a budget. 

You can walk to/from JR's Osaka Station in about 20 minutes.It is also near other local train lines in Osaka and is priced at JPY 2000 per night (as of this writing). It is a bargain for its location and your proximity to knowledgeable folks you can ask about the artsy scene in Osaka. For example,  I got help for my Bunraku and other trips from the helfpul people here.

As of the moment though, its a bit difficult to go there unless you've already visited the place. Hence you need someone to meet you at a drop-off point in Osaka City - preferably near Shin Hankyu Hotel.  From there, your contact can take you to the guest house.  Currently, their website does not have a very detailed map you can use if you want to do this part yourself. 

Some photos of the place and people I met there can be seen if you click on this link.

Get the JR Pass activated and have as many JR train reservations confirmed for the town hopping

Unless it is quite late and the JR Ticket office is closed, the first thing you do if you are on a tight schedule is to get this done as soon as possible. ASAP, you hear? 

Proceed to the JR Ticket Office gate (it is up the escalators and near the train terminal). They usually close their KIX JR office around 9 or 9:30 pm so get your voucher changed, then have your train and seat reservations (if applicable) ironed out. 

It took almost an hour to get everything finalized for my whole trip since I would be making more than a dozen train hops in this particular adventurous journey. 

Do check out the schedules on their website for the opening and closing hours of their offices which do JR Pass exchanges.

Lining up for the JR Pass Exchange

Hop on the limousine bus from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Osaka City

Since the JR Pass is in increments of 7 days validity, I chose not to use it for my first night but to try instead the limousine bus which would take about an hour's drive from KIX to Osaka City. I would be in Japan for about 15 days, while my pass was for 14 days, hence this decision.

Once you leave the International arrivals floor of KIX's Passenger Terminal Building (1st floor) and go out the doors, the bus stops are located on the same level. 

The ticket vending machines (vending machines are so ubiquitous in Japan!) are located very near the bus stops and its easy to get your ticket as you just choose a destination and pop the necessary bill for payment. There is also a ticket counter where you can use if you want to pay using your credit card. This is manned but I think they close at a certain time.

Considering the distance, unless you are rolling in money you want to burn, don't take a taxi if you are going to Central Osaka. The taxi fare will probably be around JPY 18000 for that 1 hour ride. If your JR Pass allows it, of course I recommend to use the pass and try to hop off on the train terminal nearest your lodgings.

** Note: 

The author may not keep this post updated for prices or changes in the situation. What is described here are the circumstances at the time of the trip. 

- Dec 28, '10 10:49 PM 

for Everyone

Latoh with siling colicot, sanduloy, banday-banday nga saging & tortang talong for lunch. Lami-ah gyod kaayo.

Eating at the "Spice Fusion" restaurant in SM Cebu, I was happily clicking away at the food when one of their staff came up to me and told me that taking pictures was prohibited. WTH??

Broccoli with Cooked Ham (or some Prosciutto)

Description:
There's a lot of ham this Christmas, and after I've eaten them plain sliced, in omelettes, in sandwiches, with chips etc. I figured, might as well put them in with some veggies to cut down on my crime :-)

Ingredients:
500 grams broccoli
1 clove garlic
30 grams EVOO
50 grams cooked ham
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Clean the broccoli and cut into small florets. Boil them with garlic and pepper for 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Mince the cooked ham and add the olive oil. Cook over low heat.

3. Add the broccoli to ham mixture, after removing them from the water with its garlic and pepper. Add salt to taste..


* No images as I haven't cooked it as of this posting, only back in Manila when I had a lot of leftover Chinese ham slices.

hmm...try it with different kinds of ham :-)

Strawberry Cloud

Description:
Now that its December, I kind of wish I was in Baguio and gorging myself on strawberries. Anyway, for the next time that I will be able to bring a kilo or more back home, here is what I would like to do to the berries.

Ingredients:
500 grams strawberries
275 gram cream cheese
2 tbsp brown sugar
a couple of drops of vanilla essence
juice of 1/2 lemon


Directions:
1. Remove the skin of the strawberries. Save a few for garnishing.

2. Place cream cheese, sugar, strawberries and lemon juice in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add some vanilla essence according to your taste.

3. Pour in serving glasses and garnish with strawberries. Chill before serving. You can also serve this with whipped cream.

Avocado, Melon and Shrimp Salad

Description:
Just because its Christmas doesn't mean its all unhealthy eating :-)



Ingredients:
2 avocados
1 melon
8 peeled shrimps
lemon
salt

Directions:
1) Cut the melon and avocados in half, lengthwise. Remove the seeds and pulp with a round spoon and try to get at least 8 balls of flesh from each. Leave about 1/4 inch border of flesh on the inside of the melon shell.

2) Meanwhile, place the shrimps in hot water for a few minutes then transfer to a plate and set aside to allow them to cool.

3) Put together the balls of avocado and melon flesh and the shrimp.Toss in lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Divide the mixture between the 2 melon shells. Chill before serving.

Pasta Spirals with Creamy Parsley Sauce

Ingredients:
2 tbsps butter (or margarine)
1 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
9 oz pasta spirals
1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice or tsp vinegar



Directions:
1. Melt butter in pan, then stir in flour. After 1 minute, remove from heat and gradually stir in milk. Return to heat and stir continuously. Boil for 2 minutes

2. Meanwhile cook the pasta spirals in salted, boiling water for 10 minutes (or until tender but still firm). Rinse in cold water and drain.

3. Before serving add parsley and lemon juice to sauce and then pour over pasta. Serve immediately.

Kanin Club: "Filipino favorites with extra flair!"

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Other
Location:	Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, Philippines

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, MAKATI CITY, Philippines, 13 December 2010 - My tagline says it all!

*goes back to eating*


But seriously, what is there left to say when usually I can wax verbose and almost write a novel about details and my experience when eating at a particular establishment?
Let the action above speak for itself! *grin*

I was late for the dinner, and was supremely relieved when KC (Kanin Club) expert Leila already ordered for the three hungry girls with her that night. Girls who were never far from their food-trip-mode-mindset-thinking.

We had the following familiar-sounding Filipino viands. The pictures in the comments below will show the descriptions as these regular fare were prepared and served with innovative twists.

Itsi-Bitsi
Seafood Kare-kare
Crispy Dinuguan
6 cups of rice (shared by all of us)
Turon KC

I can't blame it on hunger, because even my tongue lashes out fiercely if it is grumpy about the "templa" (how its seasoned). However, I could be seen ecstatically chewing and savoring the viands as if I hadn't had dinner the whole week.
(Well, to be honest, I didn't have have a meal since 11 a.m. that day but even so, the dishes were tempting enough to be eaten even if it meant being off Santa Claus' gift-list).

Due to the season and its soft opening stage, service was a bit slower than what we had wanted it to be.

But the scrumptious dishes and the cheerful servers who were eager to please and appease more than made up for the little bumps on Kanin Club's road to giving other Filipino restaurants a run for their pesos. We have Leila to thank for the service part I think *grins*

Definitely a must if you are ever in the nostalgic mood for good ole Filipino food cooked as if there were no tomorrow :-)

Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to groovy LUCY :-) Don't worry, I celebrated for you by eating and stuffing myself silly yesterday...even if back to work pa rin po.

I feel blessed...had 4 invites to eat out today...I can only accept one which does not conflict w/ my work schedule, at least I can see familiar faces of friends! Christmas month is the best!

Pho24: "Posh Pho, although..."

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Asian
Location:	Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, Philippines

I don't know a heap of chilies about Vietnam's national dish. I've eaten it less than a dozen times, but I do like to slurp beef broth once in a while!

An earlier decision to share a meal at the Ayala Triangle Gardens with a friend had me walking briskly there to peruse the different restaurants which also had a lot of people queuing up even if it was a bit late for a Sunday. Usually this area of Makati is a bit bare during weekends, with people flocking to the malls on the other end.

A quick glance, and Pho24 had the shortest queue I could see. So while I was in the mood for some Hainanese chicken rice (never mind if I don't like chicken, its just that I never got to taste this during Singapore visits), I settled for this Asian cuisine instead of the restaurant on its right side.



First impressions -

1 - There are a lot of pho varieties offered by Pho24.
Their menu does not concentrate on the usual beef noodle soup but also offers other meat combinations, as well as chicken.
Which of course, I didn't try *wink*

Pho may be their main attraction but their menu also lists spring rolls (deep fried and fresh ones) and some snack items. Desserts, albeit two only were listed, has also its place.

2 - The restaurant is fancier for what I thought thought of as Vietnam's "street food".
I guess this is also the reason why its pricier here than usual because you are paying for more than the pho on your bowl. Its not 4-star gourmet dining but its not also street stall style.

3 - Soft opening. Maybe that accounts for the little kinks.
If you visit this month and its crowded, once you are seated, do not wait for them to give you the menu or the bill. Call out to the elegant Áo Dài-dressed women servers or the less-snazzily dressed waiters :-)

Now for the food....

I ordered Pho Tai beef noodle (Php 138).
Pandan Agar Pudding (Php 68).
Vietnamese tea with ice (Php 60).

I canceled the prawn skewers as my friend could not make it in time to the resto...I still had this vague notion of having a pie for dessert at Banapple but erred on the side of caution and ordered dessert here too!

* I recommend their Vietnamese tea with ice. There seems to be an elusive taste of honey there somewhere, and I wish they had bottomless offer for this *grin*

Since they served me the dessert before the pho, not that I mind as I never had a problem with eating dessert first - I was happy to see it zooming my way. The other option was white beans pudding...which eerily looked too similar to my vision of mung beans (munggo to us Pinoys and not so exciting). Amusingly, just having a few spoonfuls of the dessert I ordered opened my appetite a bit further!

There are small-sized and regular-sized phos. The former is for kiddies and its really small unless you are in the mood for noodle-cup-broth soups, then I suggest the regular ones.

A plate of colorful chopped chilies, about 1/5 slice of a fresh lemon, aromatic onions, springy bean sprouts, fresh coriander and mint leaves is set before you. You can ask for extra, as I heard another customer do so, am not sure if it costs extra...maybe not.

The table already has the standard hot chili sauce bottle, and a small container of fish paste so you can mix to your palate's preference.

I'm not sure if Pho24 is geared towards the Northern or Southern Vietnam version. The pho is served in a big bowl with what looks to be a generous helping of the broth. The rice noodles were a tasty treat for slurping (no cutting!). The beef slivers were in tender little itty bits.

The broth is fragrant, light and seasoned well.
At first glance it looks alarmingly like there was just too much broth and not enough noodles, but once you mix what was in the condiment plate into your bowl and enthusiastically stir, it actually turns out to be an appropriate ratio.

BUT, (and yes, there is a but).... I still prefer the broth I slurped down like there was no tomorrow at Sen Lek Thai stall. There was just that touch of spice and elusive flavor in that broth in comparison to this one.

I guess, if I were to rank the last 5 phos I had eaten in terms of flavor and repeat visit factor, Pho24's would be at a respectable #3 or...4...
Its almost street food, but cleaned up and marketed as posh version of it...or rather maybe because of the surroundings?

One of these days, I really need to go to Vietnam and taste for myself how the pho on the streets compare to their posh cousins served here in Manila.

However, if you are in the mood for something hot, bracing and light while you are here, do try Pho24.
Beef noodle soup (or chicken or another kind?) is always comfort food when the weather turns cooler.

Banapple: "A banapple a day...."

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Desserts
Location:	Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, Philippines

"...keeps the doctor away...."

That is how I would probably justify visiting this again and again until I sample all their desserts.

I first heard about Banapple from my friend Marie, who loves all things with the tag of "dessert" and "sweet".

It strikes me as amazing how, even with problems with her blood sugar, she daringly still goes after all these sweets which any doctor worth his stethoscope would demand that she forget ever existed! I like her attitude, foolhardy it may be to medical folks and well-meaning friends of hers.

We were on one of our travels last year and she just mentioned it sleepily on the bus. Little did I know that less than 2 years later, a Banapple outlet would open within walking distance from my usual hangout and in December too!

As I had an unsatisfied tummy from a late brunch, I decided to placate it by going next door to Banapple, which was really my goal anyways from the start *grin*

Persistent text recommendations from Marie had me taking her advice. I did not hesitate to order a generous slice of this bakery cafe's Banoffee pie (Php 85) and a cuppa of bracing fragrant cinnamon tea (Php 55). I also bagged for home consumption two muffins - a Banana Nut Muffin and a Burst of Blueberry one. Each muffin costs Php 60.

Cat's verdict: Their banoffee pie is "sulit!".

Translation: it is worth the Php 85 you pay for it - not just for the flavor but the comfort you get from rolling it on your tongue and giving it a work-out. I personally prefer a less sweet pie, and mid-way through had difficulty in finishing it as I had licked the cream already. All that sugar rush courses through your bloodstream quickly.

I am of the opinion that slices of their pie should be shared with good friends and the Sisterhood-of-the-Foodie-Babes ...hahaha!

Banapple's muffins are more straight up my alley of preferences. A bit more expensive if I compare it to their pie...but filling enough for breakfast or a snack. I'd like to go back and try their orange poppy seed muffin..though the two I bought were the recommended ones from the cashier.

Speaking of their people - points to them for patience and smiling through it all. The tables were almost always full and people were queuing up like flies buzzing around sweet pies. Yet they kept the tables clean, the citronella candles lighted (not that it helped with the darn flies who seemed to have immunity to it) and were a good match to such comfort food inspite of it being only a soft opening stage yet.

Banapple has cheesecakes, cake loaves, cookies and savory pies.
Aside from those, their cafe menu offers salads, sandwiches and pasta for other folks who may be going for more than dessert.

This is one bakery cafe, that along with Conti's and Bizu's (two of my other favored eating places for different products) that I will keep coming back to in the future - until I taste all!

*licks cream off paw*

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Kids & Family

There are only a few of the movie adaptations of this series of books that I could say I enjoyed to the fullest. "Prisoner of Azkhaban" was one. I felt touched by the book and the movie itself (ok, I admit, I almost copiously shed tears...in other words "emo").

Taking into account the limitation that movies have in bringing to the screen the nuances and details of the entire story of the Boy Who Lived - I felt that the "magic" had not been wholly captured in its story-telling, not even in the powers of special effects harnessed by the film-makers.

The reason I dilly-dallied in watching this film was the surprising fact that though "Deathly Hallows" was the last book in this story I have been diligently faithful in reading - it wasn't my favorite, and I was dreading looking at its movie and finding the book better in this case.

I was smiling though when I came out of the theater after I stayed up to watch the last credits roll up on screen - I thought maybe there was some extra scene at the very last second.

This time I could swallow the semi-bitter pill of having what would have been crucial scenes in my opinion being left out of the movie mix.

I missed the reformation of Kreacher (foul creature he may be). I probably missed seeing on screen how my imagination had him dolling out food to the trio as they stayed in the OfTP's ex-headquarters.

Development of relationships between the other characters are, I grudgingly admit, not needed in this movie. The scene between Harry and Ginny is probably enough not to shock you as to how they would end up 19 years later in the storyline. There were also some changes in how certain circumstances were presented, entirely different from the book.

But other than that, I could support the idea that the story was edited enough so that non-followers of the books could enjoy it and just leave the rest to be explained by Harry Potter diehards. That thick tome of the last installation is sometimes intimidating even to bookworms like yours truly.

The best and most jaw-dropping part for me was seeing all those beautiful, sweeping landscapes where the trio perched their tent. It was more than how I imagined the scenes to be when I read and wondered worriedly about their perilous trip.

The special effects were as I expected, and I expected no less from their magical skirmishes.

All good things must come to an end.

I'm glad that at least on the first part of the "end", the movie adaptation brought me back to the what I internally defined as the real magical world of Harry Potter.

The picture below is from the internet and is different from the book I have in possession of.
It is the jacket art of the Bloomsbury (UK) edition of DH.



If you haven't seen Harry Potter DH part 1 on the big screen, I recommend you go out and do it now, as seeing it on your tv screen as you hear the dvd player whirring around will not do justice to the sights and action.

Due to a drive in National Bookstore for sending books to disadvantaged children, I revisited "Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang" (The Stories of Grandma Basyang), specifically the "Plautin ni Periking" (Periking's Flute) story. I chose and paid for this picture book which would be given to a child or shared by said children in Albay. Would you believe I've not even read it it...but I hope it brings joy to the child and encourages his or her imagination!

Chef Laudico's BFAST: "Could be bit better than usual..."

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Asian
Location:	Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, Philippines

MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES, 11th December 2010 - I had always been of the opinion that when you get to eat something at the point where you are famished, whatever would pass your mouth and tongue would turn out to be mouthwateringly heavenly, well...98 percent of the time.

I woke up 11:30 am and walked to the Ayala Triangle Gardens to have what you would probably call lunch though officially for me it was breakfast - being my first meal of the day.

Don't get me wrong.

Even though I cannot in all honesty claim that this "All-Day Breakfast Cafe" serves the kind of breakfast to make me wake up just to eat there, I daresay it would be good enough for some folks who are not as picky as I am when it comes to breakfast which I pay my hard-earned money for.

The selections were broad and familiar enough to the Filipino palate - after all the "-logs" (tapsilog, longsilog etc.) were just a part of it, and one for which I opted.

I had chosen a "silog" (Php 148) with the "angusino" (angus-like tocino or angus ba?) as the starring viand (for an additional Php 30), and a regular iced tea (Php 40 since my first choice was out of stock). Total of Php 218.

With that kind of total price, I expect more than the usual.
I expect my palate to be abruptly jerked to awareness and sit up in eager attention, like a dog waving its tail happily, anticipating a meaty bone or something.
I did get a generous helping of rice, achara, lovely vinegar (points for this), and a mixed salad of sliced fresh tomatoes and onions.
But while the flavor of the angusino was good, there were some pieces which were not chewably tender as I had expected something named in honor of the Angus beef to be.

Maybe I got spoiled by eating at Rufo's Famous Tapas and having their less than Php100 "tapsilog" which wasn't marked as anything Angus-like but really was quite tasty and tender. (Tapsilog means = "Tap" for tapa (beef strips), "Si" for Sinangag (fried garlic rice) and "Log" for itlog (egg)).

The service at BFAST is quite good - at the entrance, I was greeted smilingly by probably the overseer. Same with the cashier. Servers were also attentive and courteous and not old hands (people who've waitressed for some time have a different aura).

But, I will still support this cafe, if not for its meals, then for its efforts in conservation and going nature's way.

Somewhere on the photos below you will read their claim of serving natural food - no preservatives, no msg. They also use recycled wood, coffee sacks and old jeans for their furnishings and recyclable materials for their packaging.

Bottom line - my honest opinion is that the taste is not what I would call equivalent in value to the amount I pay for the meal.

But maybe they factored in some other items - hey, going natural, organic, and conservationism these days is more expensive!
The atmosphere and surroundings was also conducive for a breakfast chat with friends.

2010: Manila's "Best Restaurants"

Thanks to Doc Philip's post earlier, sharing with my all my brothers and sisters who love to eat and enjoy good food!


Manila's 'best restaurants' named

abs-cbnNEWS.com, Dec. 3, 2010

MANILA, Philippines--The Manila's Best Kept Restaurant Secrets (MBKRS) awards, inspired by the best-selling book of the same title, recognizes this year's most excellent chefs and best dining spots in the metro.

 

The winners were announced last November 24 in an awarding ceremony at the Enderun Colleges' Culinary Center in Taguig City.

 

This year's list was a combination of old favorites and newcomers--from world-renowned fine dining restaurant Antonio's in Tagaytay and the rustic Galileo Enoteca in Mandaluyong to the newly opened L'Incontro Ristorante Italiano in Makati City.

 

Antonio's Restaurant. Photo from www.antoniosrestaurant.ph.

 

People's Palace in Makati City was, indeed, Manila's favorite culinary destination as it bagged the People's Choice distinction in this year's MBKRS awards.

 

Chef-owner Antonio Escalante (of Antonio's) received the Best Chef award while Margarita Fores (of Cibo and Lusso) was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

Sunshine and Rob Pengson were recognized as MBKRS awards' Best Emerging Talent this year for their restaurant, The Goose Station, which won this year's Newcomer restaurant award.

 

Grilled veal chop from L'Incontro Ristorante Italiano.

 

Below is the full list of winners in this year's MBKRS awards:

 

Best Italian Restaurant: L’Incontro Ristorante Italiano

Best French Restaurant: La Regalade French Bistro

Best Spanish Restaurant: Cirkulo Restaurant

Best Japanese Restaurant: Tsukiji

Best Chinese Restaurant: Peking Garden

Best Continental Cuisine: Antonio’s

Best Thai Restaurant: AzuThai

Best Filipino Restaurant: Café Juanita

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Ziggurat Cuisine

Best Korean Restaurant: Korean Garden Restaurant

Best Indian Restaurant: Kashmir

Best Central European Restaurant: Mickey’s Delicatessen

Best Specialty Cuisine: Cyma Greek Taverna

Best Steakhouse: Mamou

Best Bistro: Apartment 1B Gourmet Comfort Food

Best Restaurant/Bar: The Establishment

Best Enoteca: Galileo Enoteca

Best Fusion Cuisine: Kai

Best Wine List: Masseto Wine Bar and Restaurant

Best Burger Joint: Brother’s Burger Bonifacio High Street

Best Dessert, Ice Cream and Cake Shop: Bizu Patisserie

Best Newcomer: The Goose Station

Best Hotel Restaurant: International Buffet: Circles (Makati Shangri-La)

Best Hotel Restaurant: Fine Dining: Cicou (Hotel Céleste)

Best Hotel Restaurant: Specialty Cuisine: Inagiku (Makati Shangri-La)

Best Hotel Bar: Martinis (Mandarin Oriental)

STC (Cebu) High School '86 Holiday Party

Start:	Dec 27, '10 7:00p
Location:	Cebu City, Philippines

I hardly check FB on events, so am putting it here.

Where exactly? mall? resto? house of one of our classmates?

Camiguin Island Hotels & Resorts Accommodation - Camiguin Islands Philippines - Great Philippine Places, Philippine Islands and Philippine Destinations

http://camiguin.islandsphilippines.com/resorts_hotels.php
for future revisiting of Camiguin :-)

its been ages since I've been there, but I remember the first time was during Holy Week...oho..is this a hint?

Holy Week in 2011

Start:	Apr 21, '10
End:	Apr 24, '10
Location:	Philippines

FYI...March 9, 2011 - Ash Wednesday

Marking the Holy Week (Holy Thursday to Good Friday) out as for sure there will be no work and so its good to plan a holiday ...

Ads w/ Hands

I always have great fun with Stormlizard's powerpoint slides which he shares with his network.
Sometimes he puts together amazing pictures with information about places and things w/c I've not encountered before. Sometimes its just plain funny what he comes up with.

Today, with his permission, I grabbed one set w/c I found as good marketing - not only for the product, but for the brand itself of a country when I see the hands and how they've painted them.

I hope you enjoy it as I did - please click on presentation below.

Attachment: Hands on adverts.pps

There's a purpose to things happening. Even if your long-time necklace gets snatched-up on the streets in Quiapo. There's still a couple of good things to consider in exchange for this kind of incident.

8 Seconds of Gratitude

Year 2010 is not yet over, but as I gazing blankly at a display of batteries for sale at a well-known hardware store earlier this afternoon, I was hit by the proverbial bolt of lightning - I got a lot to be thankful for this year!  I don't know why that particular display just plugged that thought in my  mind but there you have it.

2010 isn't what you would lovingly describe as my best year....for one there was not-so-welcome-news about taxes at the workplace, and daily living expenses still increase at an exponentially higher rate than my salary which has not moved in any direction in what feels to be like a zillion years of time-freeze (actually, just since the start of my job)..but there's so much more which could have been worse and I'm still a lucky woman.

With that thought, I had the idea of doing some sort of speed-thanking.
Get it? If there is speed-dating, why not speed-thanking?

As fast as I could and at the top of my head, I tried to cram through in 8 seconds what I ought to be happy and thank my lucky stars for 2010. And...to think that when January 2010 rolled in more than 11 months ago I couldn't be described as doing cartwheels and throwing roses around in celebration.

At random now, because its different when one is thinking furiously fast versus writing it down placidly -

******
I had a trip abroad (figures that the most recent activity is what I could recall). I never thought I would be doing it this year, with the way my finances were squeezed but with some planning, research and some priorities, I survived and traveled into more places to a country I never though I'd visit again.


Aside from gathering eye-candy and taking pictures and memories with me, the most soul-satisfying and heart-pumping part was the feeling of accomplishment after all was said and done.

I myself cannot believe I did all those things by myself even with a slight wrench thrown into the plans.

Could be project management skills, or basic survival skills, but I can be smug about initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing out this trip - not a lot of folks can claim completing that series of activities and being totally satisfied with what was gained - affirmation of what I understand myself to be with all my beauty spots and warts, knowledge that I can depend on myself if push comes to shove and gaining mental and emotional strength from the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

******


I had the most number of Philippine trips this year, well, the last time I traveled more, domestic-travel-wise,  was back in the late 1990s..and best of all I got to do them with friends I've known for some time (isn't it fulfilling to be with people you know and are comfortable with?)....and how wondrous too was the fact that I saw new faces, made these new friends and parting ways with the certainty that they will also be the kind of friends I could see myself going on a trip with another 10 or 15 years down the road :-)

******

For a long time, there was no helper in my parent's home. My parents were by themselves and getting on in years - but thankfully nothing bad has happened to their health - my dad is still as ornery and fussy about food while my mom is still more energetic than I am. He turned 85, she turned 66 and aside from deafness (him) and BP problems (her), they seem to be still better off than parents of my peers.










******

I have 2 new cameras for this year. My Olympus may have blinked (but not out of existence) but my GE and Panasonic are  now part of my family of cameras. I try to have one new gadget to give in to my gadget fetish (though its not obvious) and to have double the goal is ...an unexpected bonus...something like an extra pat on the back from your favorite mentor after the you get an award for meritorious services from your peers who acknowledge your good job.






******

I get to eat the food I get cravings for when I see them - and I don't feel guilty, worry about weight, cholesterol or any bad effects. I just eat what I want and drink what I want.

******

The physical check-up c/o our company's annual schedule has turned out as a "pass" in my test results (except for one part of me which I have to check later) but I honestly am not worried anymore also about that particular area. I shall have to go to the doctor though because I never got a second check-up on it. Considering I lack sleep most of the time, have bad eating habits and eat junk food...well, I give a minuscule smile when every year, one  or another of the medical staff remarks that I look young for my age when they read my chart. I whisper dramatically, "Probably the junk food...." and they wink back but shake their head resignedly.

******

I get to indulge in impromptu meet-ups and eating out with friends, in spite of the weird work schedule I have.
If BDO says "we find ways", I could tell charmingly announce to them, "I did it first!".

******

I may have bigger taxes, but I still manage to pay my bank loan out of the fruits of my labor and nobody else's help. No family members, boyfriend, husband, lover (paid lover? haha!), friend, acquaintance or whoever that I need to be indebted to, except the steady banking institution earning a fat interest on my housing loan.

Maybe it was some foresight earlier which helped me hit the correct amount to pay off every month, but how lucky is it, that with some adjustments in my lifestyle and spending habits I am not crawling on the floor crying my eyes in a never-ending tantrum out at the lowered stipend I receive?

And...oops...time's up!

+++++

Well.. eight seconds are obviously not enough time..but haven't you noticed?

There are some people out there who can spend those precious eight seconds bemoaning their fate or pointing out negative aspects of their lives.

Which is really a waste - how could they then enjoy the euphoria and give off that aura of compleat happiness upon realizing they actually have so many gifts heaped up in big piles and surrounding them?

....Such a chock-ful of blessings that they forget to see and acknowledge what is presently in their hands... because they look away and focus instead to what they think others possess.

Hey, how about trying it yourself and seeing how cushy a life you actually have?

Share with me, with us.....your network of friends...and we can all bask in that goodwill and joy that people with acknowledged blessings give out....


THANK YOU FOR COMING OVER AND READING THIS, AND BEING A PART OF MY LIFE.

I just noticed that I have had 1234 posts in Multiply (excluding this one), I didn't even know I passed the 1K mark.

Repost from FB and changed for Multiply friends! Join the fight against child abuse! Change your Multiply (originally "FB" was written here) profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday (Dec 06) there should be no human faces here, but an invasion of memories. This is for violence against children!

You know Christmas is in the air when you find your credit card feeling feverish. Today has been an EXPENSive day. Let us look on the bright side though. Dead people don't spend a cent. At least am here and sighing about buying stuff, things...that I don't need, that I can live without, that I can do without...but...its so liberating buying them until...you receive the billing statement *grin*

Life = relationships. That is one take-away I got from attending yesterday's session of PMI where it was about the High C's of Success (amongst other things).

Back from a Subic holiday, where urban enjoyment like duty-free shopping paired with jungle trek and swinging through the trees (almost like Tarzan but not quite) culminated in some blissful massage and more eating!

Back from a Subic holiday, where urban enjoyment like duty-free shopping paired with jungle trek and swinging through the trees (almost like Tarzan but not quite) culminated in some blissful massage and more eating!

Carrot and Daikon Salad

Description:
Daikon (大根), literally "large root"), is also called Oriental radish, Chinese radish and Mooli (from Hindi Muulii). It is a mild-flavored, very large, white East Asian radish. It is common in Japanese cuisine.




Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
1 small carrot, peeled, cut into matchstick pieces
1 1/2 cups daikon, peeled, cut into matchstick pieces
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds


Directions:
1. Place 1 1/2 cups of the water and the salt in a medium bowl. Place both carrot and daikon in this salted water for half and hour, then drain and set aside.

2. Combine the vinegar, remaining water, soy sauce and mirin in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the carrots and daikon and simmer for 2 minutes until tender. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

3. Place the daikon and carrot between paper towels and squeeze gently to remove the excess vinegar. Place in small bowls, sprinkle the sesame seeds over it and serve.

For once, I'd like to hear - "Bread prices dropping due to higher cost of flour, sugar" instead of the opposite, but how can that ever be? Eh?

Makati is small - just bumped into a couple of friends from BackPack Photography in Batanes who could have been my travel buddies in recent Japan trip....hay nakupo!

Since I haven't had luck with Panasonic's LX5, a friend suddenly tempted me with a GPS as a Christmas gift to myself :-) *thinks it over a million times*

Krizzie, a good friend has asked for some help. I am passing the message on, she said in her message to me = ate cat!! I need some help.. I joined the Korean Tourism contest and I need ... your help to vote for my itinerary. If I get the highest vote, I get to win a trip to Korea of 3 days 2 nights. Please be login on your FB account and then go to this website http://koreabeinspired.com/itinerary/1413 and click on 'Like' at the right hand corner of the page that says, Step 1: Vote for me. Your vote mean a lot to me. If you have twitter, please tweet the link http://koreabeinspired.com/itinerary/1413 for me too.. If you could pass the msg and ask your friends to vote for me too, it would be great. If not, your vote is enough.

November 23: Happy birthday to Daddy! When I called up, he was apparently happily munching on some spare ribs and cake given as gifts by well-wishers. He has turned 85 today! A big achievement (I don't think I can reach that age).

Yukata kimono Market sakura

http://www.kimono-yukata-market.com/
for those who may be interested in getting one or giving one for Christmas :-)

Anybody here in Makati who can recommend a good, reasonably priced dry cleaner shop for cleaning leather pants? Am not sure the usual laundromats I pass by can do so reliably...

maybe the adrenaline has worn off, but now that am back, I feel the muscle aches and pains from toting all that luggage and walking around...oh well, but the atmosphere here is the best...and I can see Christmas decors na plastered all over and lighted up....yahoo!

Purefood's Tender, Juicy hotdogs - my golly, walang kaparehas even sa Japan...hahaha..must be the Pinoy in me...

Bunraku in Osaka was one of the best parts of my visit to this town. It appeals to my project management instincts :-)

Kit-Kat green tea chocolate! - "oiishi!!"...drat, I should have bought more to bring home instead of munching them on the run..

What I miss most in Japan? - the vendo machines and convenience stores! Ironic finish upon arrival: since it was late, the first thing I did was go to a mini-stop and look for food coz sarado na pala (holiday pala sa Philippines on Nov 16?) - I stopped and compared our convenience stores to theirs *sigh*

Jaw-drop end to my Japan trip - when I arrived back home, I was shocked to find my building's front door and lobby boarded up with wood planks...

I almost ended up in Wakayama instead of Kansai Airport and going home to Philippines...

Last day in Osaka, I was going to visit Kyoto again in the morning but decided to be adventurous and try Tennoji, a part of Osaka I had not seen before. Aaah..a good end to my last day in Japan - oldest established temple and I capped it off by eating in a soba-udon shop where men in business suits stood while eating...

Wow, Kobe was a surprise! A spur of the moment decision had me visiting Kobe for 1.5 hours early evening - although I missed their Kobe beef, I did manage to get a night view of the town as well as hit their Nankin-machi where as usual, Chinese food was easy on the pocket, but prepared the Jap way, was also different.

Had lotsa fun w/ Kyoto adventure! so many delicious free "otabe" to sample ....with its matching cups of tea...

Today, I'm torn between a hop to Kyoto again or a visit to Kobe....hmmm...and I'm going home tomorrow to Philippines...

A rush Kyoto visit on Sunday resulted in my meeting up with one of my programmers in a previous company who has make Kyoto his home. I also got to meet 3 new friends of his, who were a refreshing change with their speaking in Pilipino - from all the Japanese I've been hearing the last 2 weeks.

Arrived in Osaka Friday afternoon, tired but happy I have completed my goal in coming back safely here. First thing I did was dig into a big plate of okonomiyaki.

Okayama's Korakuen Garden - at least I can now claim I have seen the #1 and #2 most beautiful gardens in Japan.

Flexibility into plans - since I had an hour to kill in Okayama on the way back to Osaka, why not change the train sked and explore it a bit? Huffed and puffed to leave luggage, then huffed and puffed to see their famous garden - different from usual garden, but I did not go inside anymore their black crow castle.

Terazuya Inn in Matsue has one of the most hospitable hosts I had. Wish I could have stayed longer not because of the sight but of the hosts.

Matsue is out of the usual way, but its castle was worth the trip. One of the original ones which has survived. Plus I stumbled on one of the oldest tea houses w/ thatched roof in Japan.

Arrived in Okayama, Japan but ran off to Kurashiki after dumping my things at the ryokan - thanks to the local train which has frequent runs. Kurashiki is a very pretty "market town" with lots of shops congregating around the "canal". Lots of museums and artists dotting around the center - drawing or doing something "art-like". A sight and site for camera buffs :-)

Ciao Nagoya..till next time....and maybe by then I can do more side trips to the other sites near this city..

Tips for Traveling Light for the Backpacker w/ Fashionista tendencies

Note -

The following clothing tips are targeted for those traveling to countries in autumn or winter weather.

- if you go to a country where its cold weather when you are a-visiting, bring clothes and underwear that can easily be washed and dried quickly...you can use the hotel's dryer (hair) or heater to help quickly dry them especially if you bring the thin ones. Nylons may be thin but dry very quickly. Worst case, use the coin laundry.

- don't worry about not bringing many clothes, you do not have to bring one shirt or blouse for each day of your trip - you will wear your outer coat most of the time if you are going out and gallivanting about, so nobody need know you are wearing the same clothes every other 3 days or so :-)...of course if you do spend most of your time indoors and with your coat off..the trick is to mix and match and accessorize...

- bring scarves to accessorize or help keep you warm..a not so big shawl will also help if you want a change of wardrobe, I like those w/c are reversible in their color and patterns (obviously this tip is for women unless men like shawls in pretty patterns..hehehe)

- bring clothes than can easily mix and match in color and style - I try to bring thin long-sleeved shirts which can be mixed and paired with two sleeveless pullovers or blouses so you can have that layered look

- try to bring clothes whose colors does not clash when you mix 'em up

- bring a "malong" or "sarong" - good for being an extra blanket, a cloth to wrap around you when you are going out and lounging (not walking outside), or you can even hide inside it when changing clothes in a room with other people (such as a dorm where privacy is not always there) and it can even function as a sort of towel to help you dry off if all else fails!

- in partnership w/ the previous entry - bring a small, very easily dried travel towel - you can pair this with your malong. I have an old blue travel towel which absorbs water easily but dries very quickly..so if i use that, even if I don't have a towel to wrap around my head or body, the malong will help...and if you suddenly travel to a country in the middle of your trip and go to the beach - voila, you have a cover-up ready to use!

- if you will bring bracelets and other "butingtings" try to get one with a classic design or one w/ varied colors w/c can match your choices of clothes...that way you don't have to bring a lot of accesories to match your outfit

- bring a furoshiki (Japanese hanky/cloth) - it can double (or triple?) as a bag, a hankerchief, neckerchief, a towel, a head cover etc.
 
- a good pair of hiking shoes is a must if you are planning to be walking around a lot...boots look nice, but in the end, think of the comfort of your feet

- try to bring functional sleepwear that can actually be worn also as part of your everyday outfit - for example I have tank tops with built in support that can be used for sleep but can function as inner blouses for dress shirts or for that extra layer of warmth

- invest in a good coat which is flexible - the inner layer can be zippered out if you need less bulk and warmth...the inner layer can actually double as padding for delicate items you need to protect in your luggage (I used mine to wrap my laptop), and you can adjust the coat's functions to what is needed...

- if you have a little extra room, bring leggings which can be paired with shorts - you can use them both as sleepwear, loungewear, beachwear, exercisewear and also pair them up together

- your scarves can double as your belts...

- try to wear similar-colored clothes in a row - this will help you group your laundry if you do use the coin laundry machines - e.g. if you wear the brown colored ones for the first 3 days, when you launder them you don't need to worry about mixing them up w/ other clothes or colors w/c may bleed and ruin your batch of first laundry in the washing machine..

- freezer bags can be used in lieu of buying a travel zipper bag..you can compartmentalize your clothes if you want, and separate your dirty laundry quickly as the see-through plastic helps organize your clothes

- bring a bag which can be a backpack and at the same time a trolley to be wheeled around.

I personally like the polycarbonate ones but unfortunately they have not designed the yet to be used for convertible bags but only for trolleys.

Specific for Japan travelers:

- if you stay in a ryokan - no worries about lounge wear or sleeping wear - you will be provided a yukata and sometimes a haori, there will also be usually a toothbrush and toothpaste, comb and the shampoo/body soap/conditioner are also usually provided either in your room or in the public bath

- get shoes which can easily be taken off and put back on since some temples and establishments require you to take your shoes off (and show your nice shocks off *grin*)

- since you will most probably be taking off your shoes most of the time when you visit some temples, eating places etc., be sure to pack very presentable looking socks

tbc..
if something occurs to me when I wake up from my needed sleep..

The bruise on my right and left knee is now more clear in terms of the area affected. Bigger than I first thought it would be actually, but at least its not getting worse but hopefully on its way to healing more rapidly inspite of the cold and walking.

Kanazawa's "Nakayasu Ryokan" was a very cosy home away from home when I visited this particular town. Very good location indeed (and I congratulate myself on my choice)...and surprise, surprise! - when I gave them a token of appreciation from the Philippines, I unexpectedly received a beautifully wrapped package - I was handed a wrapped set of a pair of red and black lacquered chopsticks which is part of Kanazawa's products. So even if I missed the museum of Kanazawa products I wanted to check out, I got something as a souvenir *happy cat*

Nagoya Castle is historically the castle built by the first Tokugawa shogun. Its a treat to see it..though its not too big. It also looks very pretty at night in pictures (I saw it in the afternoon though). Another plus in visiting Nagoya on the way to Okayama is that I met up with Che's friend who was super-considerate to bring me around to tourist attractions in the little time I had, treated me to the biggest bowl of shomen I've ever seen... then we had an impromptu "lost" time looking for the ryokan I was to say *grin*

Hope to be in Nagoya by lunchtime. Now that I have internet, I've only just read the oldest castle donjon is in Inuyama...accessible from Nagoya...hmm....

Quick and the usual breakfast when am on the run in my town and train hop thru Japan this month: look for Family Marts or similar 24/7 - their meals and breads are good enough so I can skip on a formal breakfast at ryokans.

Getting better at the shared baths here - just go when there's nobody else taking a bath LOL. Then you don't feel self-conscious...

Recommended: "Rickshaw Inn" in Takayama, Japan. Cute small tatami room, but very homey atmosphere, and best of all there is free wi-fi in the rooms (the laptop cable in the room doesn't work but I can live w/ that). This is the only one so far I've stayed in that has its own toilet in the room for the price I've paid..but that is one step up from shared toilets. As usual, all ryokans I've stayed in are spotlessly clean.

WTH? and I thought nothing could go wrong today - but its either the cold or something - my laptop's display has turned on its side! am reading and typing now w/ my head tilted to the right side....weirdness! help!

A very good modern ryokan in Asakusa is "Ryokan Shigetsu". It has lots of amenities that other ryokans miss out on giving to the modern traveler in Japan...though the con is the smaller space/room, its the only one as far as I am concerned. Internet in room..wheee!

Amanto Village in Osaka, Japan is one good way of "immersion" - a village of artistically-inclined folks and home-staying w/ them...

"Ichinoyu Honkan" in Hakone, Japan is one I highly recommend that Hakone and onsen adventure...and its beside the river so you are close to nature..Tonosawa area is known for its onsens in this area...con: cold water from room washbasins...they haven't really modernized fully...oh well, I will submerge myself in their hot baths to compensate..

I splurged - after eating bread and nikuman irregularly for breakfast or some other meal for one or two days, I finally gulped and ordered Hida beef - perfect for my Takayama cold adventure and I told my wallet to shut up.

Since my internet time is limited, I promise to read thru friends and online buddies posts when I am back in the Philippines :-) For now, am semi-tweeting...

I love Takayama, this is indeed aptly called Little Kyoto of the Mountains...however its really cold here, and my only regret is I can't stay longer...

A meow! from Kanazawa (Japan)

Cat's Postcard from Kanazawa, Japan

Nov 8, '10 11:59 PM

Photograph above from internet (during springtime).

Photograph above from this trip (taken during autumn).

KANAZAWA, JAPAN, 8th November 2010 - Hiking the way up to Kenrokuen Garden, I stopped briefly at this street.

I remember this place because I saw a photograph somewhere of this stretch of shops and street during spring (first photograph above).

It's a thrill to recognize the place and see the trees - even if they are shorn of their spring glory.

Wind was bracing, light was fading even if it was mid-afternoon...few people about.

*rubs hands*

Mood: anticipation (in seeing one of the top three most beautiful gardens in Japan)

Cat's Postcard from Kanazawa, Japan

Photograph above from internet (during springtime).

 

Photograph above from this trip (taken during autumn).

KANAZAWA, JAPAN, 8th November 2010 - Hiking the way up to Kenrokuen Garden, I stopped briefly at this street.

I remember this place because I saw a photograph somewhere of this stretch of shops and street during spring (first photograph above).

It's a thrill to recognize the place and see the trees - even if they are shorn of their spring glory.

Wind was bracing, light was fading even if it was mid-afternoon...few people about.

*rubs hands*

Mood: anticipation
(in seeing one of the top three most beautiful gardens in Japan)

Going off to bed...if I can wake up early, I:d like to try again and see Kenrukoen Garden by the dawn`s early light...or...maybe its a zzzz..........

I only hope missing Shirakawa (World Heritage site) is enough of a sacrifice as long as I get to Takayama on the schedule I had mapped out. The pro is that when I do get to visit that site in the future it will be so much *older* then...*grin*

Kanazawa, Japan is definitely worth a second visit in the future. Sure I`ve been to Kyoto, which is one of the best places to experience the "old Japan"...but Kanazawa is also reputed to have the most beautiful garden in Japan. I'm just sad I have to miss Kaga Ryori and dine on nikuman (aka siopao to us) instead hehehe...

Munching on a dozen strawberry milk choco mochi...maybe it will function the same like a cup of hot chocolate?

To be or not to be....in Kamakura, that is...ah, depends on what time I will wake up tomorrow...otherwise I might just check-out, visit the kitchenware street in Asakusa (ahahah....drool over the plastic food displays) or revisit Ueno zoo. My feet are aching...

To be or not to be....in Kamakura, that is...ah, depends on what time I will wake up tomorrow...otherwise I might just check-out, visit the kitchenware street in Asakusa (ahahah....drool over the plastic food displays) or revisit Ueno zoo. My feet are aching...

Nikko, Nikko..Nikko...and no its not a man, a guy, a boy, a male, a buddy or some kind of strange food...

A Side of Sensō-ji

ASAKUSA Taitō, Japan, 5th November 2010 - I took very few panoramic pictures in this trip. Mostly because there were just too many people milling about.

These two pictures I've posted below are 2/3 of what I took of Sensoji - on one side of it in daytime, and one of its gate at night, when thankfully very few people were left.

This is Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in the 7th century.
Dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, this is also popularly called Asakusa Kannon Temple.


* Camera used: GE G3WP (waterproof)
* Unedited, no tripod, but I hope you can see a side of Sensoji not usually seen during the heavy tourist season.

I kind of miss being lulled to sleep by the rushing waters over the big boulders in Tonosawa, Hakone...today all I saw were throngs of people flocking to Senso-ji....was it a temple or some movie set?

Inspite of everything, I gave up on Takao-san, but not on meeting Virtual Ted. I've managed to see some sights in Asakusa already but here in Nakamise, its really dangerous to my wallet. In less than 10 minutes I already spent 2K JPY. argh...*staying away from street*

I'm sad that they have closed Denboin Temple...and its gardens...I went around and around even w/ my little disability..only to find out...its now forbidden for people to get inside...

This is the first freaky Friday I had ever in my life. Two accidents, both involving my bag. It could be an episode of Murphy's law...and though I have no broken bones, I certainly now have one green-violet apple-sized bruise on my left knee.

Kusa sa Asakusa? malapit na...

Cat's Postcard from Picasso Pavilion

HAKONE, JAPAN, 4th November 2010 - In Hakone's Open Air Museum, more than 300 works by Picasso are gathered.

Here I am outside said building housing not only Pablo Picasso's works but also those of his daughter Maya.

Aside from that come-on, there are also portraits of Picasso taken by David Douglas Duncan for the last decade or so of Picasso's life.

Onsens are great..but my lips are cracking....

First day on my trip to Osaka, I had to leave my souvenir umbrella (from my trip to NY) at the airport's bin because I didn't know it was supposed to be checked-in *huhuhuhu*. I mean, its always been in my handcarried bag in my other trips. Then my monk bag handle got lost somewhere between when I was in plane and then walked to immigration. Second day, I left my 1/4 full green tea bottle, and then almost left my key in the basket in the public bath. Third day I left my door unlocked for 30 minutes. Lucky its Japan :-). But a small price to pay since the trip has gone according to schedule so far...

I pray to the patron saint of travelers to help me tomorrow in my trip. I am going to Asakusa, Tokyo and *cross fingers and toes* meet up with online buddy Ted and his lovely wife. waah...I love Multiply!

My two days in Hakone were super-fast...but worth the Hakone Free Pass...I wish I had more time so I could visit those I had to give up. If any of you go to Hakone, make sure to stay overnight and enjoy the hot springs!

Black or White, its an egg!

OWAKUDANI, HAKONE, JAPAN, 3rd November 2010 - Somewhere on this post is  a picture or two of the kind of egg I almost bought.



A cold wind blew around me and probably slapped some logic into my head.

I came back to my senses and thought of keeping my yen - after all,  whether its black or white shells, its still that - an egg!

I skipped buying black eggs... going a very different way from what almost all the other people around me were doing.

Ha!... who needs 7 extra years of longevity?

Hmm...and that is on a per egg basis too....





Owakudani Nature Trail is the found in the first stop of the ropeway during its trip to Togendai in Hakone, Japan. Its the ropeway's highest point and means "Great Boiling Valley"...later pics will show proof why its called that (either that or the smell will clue you in).

[picture of the eggs being hoisted to//fro boiling area and selling area]

Sulphurically-fragrant postcard from Owakudani!

HAKONE, KANAGAWA PREF., JAPAN, 3rd November 2010 - Although a bit far away from Osaka and more accessible from Tokyo, my goal was really to reach Hakone - if only to try and see some of the stations which were said to have spectacular views.

Truly, Hakone has much to offer the visitor who has the Hakone Free Pass! (though why its called free when I paid for it, is beyond my ken at the moment).


Owakudani is a station along the Hakone Ropeway between Sounzan and Togendai. It is a popular tourist site for its scenic views, volcanic activity, and especially, Kuro-tamago (黒玉子) — a local specialty of eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs.

lotsa adventures and it was just day 1 yesterday in Osaka....1st day in Hakone, more fun stuff...but computer usage limited here in ryokan....ttyl...

golly..they are showing the original Hawaii Five-O on AXN now...ta-da-dah-dah-dah-duhhhh...ta-da-da-da-dummm...*dances the hula spiritedly around the kitchen to the series' theme song*

A basic bug in Cebu Pacific website. I just tried using their web check in facility now. I see this nice exclamation point: "Passenger must select a seat." So obligingly (though I don't want to pay extra for any seat), I go and click on the link..only to be greeted with - "Sorry, you cannot choose seats for this flight online. Seats will be assigned when you check in for your flight at the airport."

High-level trip planning (in my mind)

They say envisioning makes it happen, so am trying to jumpstart myself as I feel really sleepy...by mapping out a summary of my trip this November 2010.

Nov 2 - Osaka (evening)

Nov 3 - 4 - Hakone (*giggles* it reminds me of the Hakone brand of sardines we have here)

Nov 5, 6, 7 -  Tokyo (2 sites to stay at)  with some side trips to  -

Mt. Takao - eyeball w/ Ted and his wife while trying to hike
Kamakura (ancient capital)
* Nikko (shogun country!)
* Asakusa Area - well, because am already booked hereabouts
Tsukiji Market (?)
Ueno Park

DisneySea (probably after Nikko or after 6 pm, but its not priority)

Nov 8 - Kanazawa (a little more of old Japan)

Nov 9 - Takayama (Little Kyoto of the Mountains) /

? Shirakawago (rural area) or move this to next day and adjust schedule forwards

Nov 10 -  Nagoya (I made up my mind..I can't stand another 4 hours of train transfers..so am going to take a break here and see something..uhm...let's see what is here..maybe the Noritake museum....)

Nov 11 - Okayama (Gateway to Shikoku) then to * Kurashiki (Market Town)

Nov 12 - Matsue

Nov 13, 14, 15 - make Osaka as base and travel onwards -

Kobe,
Hiroshima,
Himeji,
Takamatsu

or maybe revisit Kyoto and Nara if there is still energy left in my  fingertip...and just relax...

Nov 16 - Osaka then to Philippines

so much for the high-level planning

so far, those in bold font have reservations for lodgings  ＼(>o<)／

* - imperative
? - thinking it over...

Will keep on updating until I finally (knock on wood) go to the airport... \(^_^)/

and I have work to do....zzz..today...zzzz...

Official Kobe Tourism Site Feel - KOBE

http://www.feel-kobe.jp/_en/
I thought maybe I should give Kobe a miss although its so near Osaka that it seems such a shame...but there seems to be more to Kobe than the usual :-)

infomapJAPAN Free Travel Guide Book of Japan

http://www.infomapjapan.com/
Link given by a colleague working in Kobe as I was looking what more to do or if I should visit Kobe for more than just its beef :-)

It's as I suspected - I got a balanced brain!

Mobile Phones Rental Service in Japan | SoftBank Global Rental

http://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/
handset

handset + SIM

or just SIM

Japanese Cellular Phones FAQ

http://euc.jp/misc/cellphones.en.html#tech
simple - just check if it has UMTS..and the phone should/ought to work in Japan if so...

Universal Holidays, Inc.

http://www.universalholidays.com/index.htm
Japan Visa,
Japan Tour Packages,
Japan Rail Pass,
Air Tickets, Hotels & Resorts.

Offices in Manila, Makati and Cebu

Sen Lek Thai Noodle

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Thai
Location:	Uniwide Coastal Mall, Cavite Coastal Road, Philippines

After two of my adventurous foodie-shoppie buddies slurped through a somewhat disappointingly-brewed Viet pho broth the previous day, they declared that I simply had to try this unassuming stall found in a somewhat out of the way mall.

And so I did. Pronto...as in...

....less than 24 hours later, I could be found sandwiched between Che and Marie while happily perched in front of a Sen Lek Thai stall. My valid excuse was that we had to have enough sustenance to do some necessary shopping.

We enthusiastically noodled and goggled our way through several plates of fragrant fried pad thai, skewered meatballs and big steaming bowls of Thai noodles of different flavors. If I were to close my eyes, savor the taste tingling on my tongue... I could swear I was back in Thailand!

The broth was richly spiced, but not overpowering. You can always tell the obliging food attendants what your preference is as it pertains to spiciness.

The noodles were soft and chewy. No bland paper strips were these!

Since Marie was more knowledgeable about what else to mix with the orders, I leave it to her to share whatever it was that she sprinkled and put on the dishes after they were served.

Cold and refreshing drinks are available in the cooler on the side, but nothing fancy - water, bottled iced tea, and softdrinks.

The stall's offerings were very reasonably priced, considering the taste.

As of this writing, the food prices ranged from about USD 1 to USD 1.75 per item. And all of the spices and most of the main ingredients I bet were authentically imported from Thailand too!

As this is in the category of express food service, you can get all of these lovely noodles and simmering hot broth at their food stall found in the Coastal Mall in Cavite, Philippines - perched on their high stools, standing up..or you can bring your favorite thermos to take home the soups.

Not only is it a palate-treat for those salivating for authentically-tasting Thai cuisine, it is one of the best ways to fortify yourself if you are in aforementioned mall for a bout of housewares shopping spree. Coastal Mall is one of the better-kept-secret malls which have tons of lovely home decors and other items at bargain-floor prices.

Enjoy the shopping..and...enjoy the *slurping*!

Japanese Smileys

http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2007-08-07-n23.html
for reference

WWW.KOMI.COM/JAPANESE

http://www.komi.com/japanese/from_int/smileys.html
reference

＼(>o<)／ -> and here I thought for a sec there was really a hostage drama involving Prince Harry...that kind of film though does make me wonder...what if it does happen...

For those seeking JPY currency to bring on your Japan trip (from here in the Philippines) while its true that you can get these at particular BPI branches (main in Ayala and Legaspi St branch here in Makati), please be advised you can also try Sanry's (in Greenbelt 1) and Czarina (Ayala office).

Travel insurance - Php 900 (Peso policy) for a 15-day trip to Japan. I'm happy it is not as bad as I feared it would deplete my travel funds :-)

HIGHWAY BUS TIMETABLE | JR BUS KANTO

http://www.jrbuskanto.co.jp/bus_route_e/
in English.

Japan Bus Pass / WILLER TRAVEL

http://willerexpress.com/x/bus/dynamic/3/en/html/pc/buspass/?aid=184
Apparently aside from the JR Pass, there is now the bus pass for trips around Japan...

the pro to this is you can save on lodging expenses for overnight travel on these buses....but can you really sleep comfortably on a bus trip and be rested enough to tackle all that touristy things that you do?

Metro Manila - Signal # 1 due to Bagyong Juan (Super Typhoon Megi)...its not raining and its still outside...but we still should take care and not be overconfident..its now Category 5...

Shukubo - should or should not?

These are known as lodgings in a Buddhist Temple.
Okay, I should have entitled these as Temple Lodgings so as not to make people scratch their heads (unless they are monks in Japan and surfing the internet and happen to pass by this innocuous post).

Hmmm.. probably similar to a ryokan except..well..that it is in a Buddhist temple :-)

But vegetarians may like it because that is what they will serve you for meals.

There's an early morning service (probably 6 am or earlier *gasp*).
If you are not required to join, then good, get a few more good winks in.
But some actually require you to join...

Price ranges: USD 67 to USD 140 per person but that includes meals so not too shabby.

Hope I can try this out if I can make it to Mount Koya...though the 6 am ritual is making me think twice as I generally like to laze around during mornings.

picture from the internet

Shucks, the above picture looks like sumptuous lodgings! for a temple I mean..ehem..

Japan Ryokan Association 社団法人 国際観光旅館連盟

http://www.ryokan.or.jp/index_en.html
Ryokans developed during the Edo Period when feudal lords were required to travel to and fro from Edo (known as Tokyo nowadays).

Traditionally - ryokans are small, only 1 to 2 stories high, contain about 10 to 30 rooms and are made of wood and a tile roof.

Rates in a ryokan are per person rather than per room and usually include breakfast and dinner.

As I usually go for the traditional way (when in Rome...blah-blah), you may find the following w/c I consider fine to be cons when thinking of trying a ryokan:

- if you are not used to sitting on the floor,
then its going to be a bummer for you...yoga position anyone?

- the futon is put away during the day
(but you can always roll on the tatami-covered floor if you miss your futon)

- older ryokans may have only Japanese style toilets

- Japanese-style breakfast is served
(but some ryokans do offer Western-style ones)

- rigid schedule: check-in usually is by 3 pm (if you do arrive earlier, they will keep your luggage for you),
have your dinner around 6 or 7 pm,
breakfast served early (7 to 9 am probably) and
checkout by 10 am (or leave because they clean it by that time).
So you can't sleep in.

Tip: make a reservation if you want to stay in a good ryokan.
You can try your friendly travel agency or contact the ryokan directly (some of them have informative websites, and in English too).

I've heard that some ryokans do not take foreigners (probably because of some bad experience *shrug*) but there are a lot already out there that you may want to experience.

Welcome Inn Reservation Center (WIRC) | Japan Hotels, Ryokan and inn Online Reservation

http://www.itcj.jp/eng/index.php
For budget accomodations, members of the Welcome Inn w/c operate in cooperation with the Japan National Tourist Organization.

Includes Japanese inns, business hotels etc. with rates of USD 76 or less (for single) and USD 124 or less for a double. You are asked to guarantee your reservation with your credit card details.

Japanese Inn Group Home Page | Traditional Ryokans, Hostels, Hotels, Backpackers, B&B, and Guest Houses in Japan

http://japaneseinngroup.com/
This is a special organization of more than 80 Japanese-style inns and hotels in Japan offering inexpensive lodgings and catering usually to foreigners.

Note: some may call themselves ryokans but its not exactly true in the strictest sense of the word - well, if they were, you'd be paying a lot because the true ryokan would have the trademark personalized service and beautiful setting you would expect from a ryokan.

wow, care package from home :-) thanks mom & pops...now don't have to cook, I can munch on all goodies from my Cebu or the Visayas...

[Rakuten Travel] Japan's Hotel and Ryokan reservation mega site

http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/index.html

JR Hotel Group Website

http://www.jrhotelgroup.com/eng/index.htm
50 or more so hotels are members of the Japan Railways Group...

almost always located near to major train stations

discounts (on the average..10%) for holders of the Japan Rail Pass

Last week it was my electric water kettle which resigned from work. Last night (my fault though due to its precarious perch) my study lamp also winked out of commission. Appliances are falling ill and dead as a dodo. I better go and buy replacements before this appliance virus infects the others in my domain...

Checklist of Hakone (Japan) things to do/see/eat

Notes from research - sort of travel planning...

Use JR Pass to travel to either Mishima, Atami or Odawara Station.
Use Hakone Free Pass for views seen from Hakone Tozan railway.

- Hakone Open-Air Museum

Using nature as the backdrop, it showcases sculpture of the 20th century
Has Picasso Pavilion
JPY 1,400 admission if you have Hakone Free Pass
Try the foot onsen

A short walk from Chokoku No Mori Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway (30 minutes, 390 yen from Hakone-Yumoto, covered by the Hakone Free Pass), the last station before the terminal station of Gora.
Hours: 9 to 5 pm (entry till 4:30 pm)
No closing days.
JPY 1600 (JPY 1500 if online discount) coupon used

by Cable Car to Sounzan - leaves Gora every 20 minutes arrive 9 minutes later
Stop: Koen-Kami -> Hakone Museum of Art
bamboo grove w/ lovely moss garden, Japanese cedars
sample Jap tea for JPY 630 - most beautiful in autumn

The museum is located on the slopes of Gora, just above Gora Park.
It is a three minute walk from Koenkami Station of the Hakone Tozan Cablecar between Gora and Sounzan, or a ten minute walk uphill from Gora Station.

by Ropeway to Togendai, so from Sounzan, braad ropeway with gondolas, 30 minutes
over mountain to Togendai on other side.
Ropeway stops 5:15 pm in summer. Before Togendai..get off...at...

- Owukudani Nature Trail (Great Boiling Valley)

Owukudani is the ropeway's highest point
Probably grab a boiled egg cooked from the boiling waters
Hike for 30 minutes or so and breathe the sulfuric fumes :-)

Owakudani is a station along the Hakone Ropeway between Sounzan and Togendai.
Sounzan is accessible from Hakone-Yumoto by Hakone Tozan Railway and cablecar with a transfer at Gora Station.
Togendai is on the shores of Lake Ashi and is connected by boat with Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi.

- Cross Lake Ashi from Togendai


Two companies, Hakone Sightseeing Boats and Izuhakone Sightseeing Boats, operate boats between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi at the lake's southern shores and Togendai and Kojiri at the northern shores.

A boat cruise from one end of the lake to the other takes roughly 30 minutes and costs 970 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on the pirate ship shaped Hakone Sightseeing Boats but not on boats operated by Izuhakone.

- Hakone Sekisho (checkpoint)

Will not pay for entering the museum anymore because I will skip it.

- Narukawa Art Museum

Has views of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji from here
Modern works of the Nihonga style of painting, from Heian period style

- Fujiya Hotel ??

Hakone's oldest and grandest hotel
Great views
Curry lunch? (it might be affordable) as most of the time I hear meals here are expensive
Tour of the landscaped garden
Will check as I think I read they have a tour of the hotel

- Hakone Shrine??

HOT SPRINGS! ONSEN!
Hopefully lodgings will have this..otherwise try Tenzan or Kappa Tengoku?
Tenzan -
A short walk from Oku-Yumoto Iriguchi bus stop (bus line K)
Hours: daily 9:00 to 23:00 (admission until 22:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1200 yen
Collection of nicely done hot spring pools, most of which are outdoors at the foot of a wooded slope. The bath house is a beautiful traditional Japanese style building.



+++
For those who've been to Hakone and can recommend something, please feel free to comment :-)