tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207275132024-03-12T22:26:07.642-07:00Grumpy Urban SlackerLIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WORK SATURDAYS.grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-12749749951572165192022-07-22T07:26:00.000-07:002022-07-22T07:26:26.500-07:00CITY OF PINES 2022: HOT CAT SPECIALTY COFFEE<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZhrz5eolHpP8SW2IZz52CCsKoJgG3-5G1noUmee3MlYT9N2faIopHLNxIP88Ny69e1ZwuuwWkNm2-fEmnnEFaoJ-eYgzPOmLvaPa8Mag2KM465weZJRAlJgxV3ibpkQAaQiW8BdJt6kTpvPwAr6SzdsOuV7K1rkRMjJzh1jXqxiSGV6Kig/s1728/292714402_779371883235277_9035775098915730793_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I first heard about Hot Cat Coffee on the IG of food blogger JJ Yulo (nekkidchef) and was quite intrigued about the place. But it did not seem to be the type of place that showed up on online lists of 'best coffeeshops in Baguio' and that sort of thing, which piqued my interest even more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So on a Sunday afternoon, i literally ran out of North Haven Spa right after my message (ugh, not-so-good experience during this visit) and hoofed it to Hot Cat, as it was closing at 5PM already. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oGJYPddKE1extTU2zU-zHvdmQvLgpsleM4It7v9E-lHEplvQk4PN_w96aw5Qxl74RtKI6Jij3fx2TPJ9V0IVzxXdZMTRKEWcqKwJy8nlIf83dPukU-6TEdltWvj4OX_vec2yjnHlmlXGqOu2zWacLfZL7xuEyePCCHmmRdq_4D53mIop6w/s2016/294030043_961438111918765_8826626272086656681_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oGJYPddKE1extTU2zU-zHvdmQvLgpsleM4It7v9E-lHEplvQk4PN_w96aw5Qxl74RtKI6Jij3fx2TPJ9V0IVzxXdZMTRKEWcqKwJy8nlIf83dPukU-6TEdltWvj4OX_vec2yjnHlmlXGqOu2zWacLfZL7xuEyePCCHmmRdq_4D53mIop6w/w356-h640/294030043_961438111918765_8826626272086656681_n.jpg" width="356" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was pleasantly surprised that it was located quite centrally (rather near Burnham Park), and i actually stayed nearby during my previous last visit to Baguio a few years ago. Another pleasant surprise was that the new location of Mt. Cloud Bookshop was right inside the same compound. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAMl23yNgFtvPQRsXr0g3iyVIyaDOmwvD9vgT1e6Ni5TjbjFP_XbpfEwBj9Hbz5Geg5sCsF_Kt90dqWcF4BW1OX9spF-7wNauRi7mMyRrJlugwirSklgpaQm1412TqylmGptuz_n14anGLo4vjv9f5oQKuGYgzu_S8Lsh5cTJfdFKXreOyA/s2016/294761368_463531492282688_2799224597771937981_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAMl23yNgFtvPQRsXr0g3iyVIyaDOmwvD9vgT1e6Ni5TjbjFP_XbpfEwBj9Hbz5Geg5sCsF_Kt90dqWcF4BW1OX9spF-7wNauRi7mMyRrJlugwirSklgpaQm1412TqylmGptuz_n14anGLo4vjv9f5oQKuGYgzu_S8Lsh5cTJfdFKXreOyA/w400-h225/294761368_463531492282688_2799224597771937981_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arrived at 4:45PM and i was expecting to see a quiet place with bored staff wiping tables and raring to close shop. But no! The place was bustling with what seemed to be quite a lively bunch of folks, such that i thought i had intruded on some sort of private gathering. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOH_tqun2XmkIZ4O4DiCmcQHwTJXkEFZ1uNLwRM-153jgTpeI-lbrhu-2T2tLtI-viQqLiNLcV3SZRKRXdzZNWXJebrN8LRSI3N3GR-GjFIjDmRKPJrAaZ8F-Z0NO_TPx0acNyw0_-4qORqRzYdl9dkiJPyHG4mdvBZL5aHGP1olhod_EGw/s2016/293457367_746893653257080_2818275839378589936_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOH_tqun2XmkIZ4O4DiCmcQHwTJXkEFZ1uNLwRM-153jgTpeI-lbrhu-2T2tLtI-viQqLiNLcV3SZRKRXdzZNWXJebrN8LRSI3N3GR-GjFIjDmRKPJrAaZ8F-Z0NO_TPx0acNyw0_-4qORqRzYdl9dkiJPyHG4mdvBZL5aHGP1olhod_EGw/w356-h640/293457367_746893653257080_2818275839378589936_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It did feel like everyone pretty much knew one another, and here i was,
the anti-social lowlander, sipping my coffee and eavesdropping on the
animated convo. Hehe! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The place itself is small, and quiet, almost like it was hiding in plain sight. If one wanted to read/work/hang out quietly, their outdoor seating area is quite conducive for this. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBwhu9BNT8PmWH_7IIC2MxzJ_LlSRCP4aqqxqAMQ-mhFE392Qi0yjLRQtReNOhnTkGtWBsXpG-L2PLEJJXjyv2cXFWlTY2CN_RtgltZFuASHuD78gtpp7injZdtiHZkfJVKekb4X8DG7PMB0b7_kYPQJn6xkpZooU650wUhvsk0OaQ3xaMw/s2016/293352688_767751487600820_1409855432843210332_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBwhu9BNT8PmWH_7IIC2MxzJ_LlSRCP4aqqxqAMQ-mhFE392Qi0yjLRQtReNOhnTkGtWBsXpG-L2PLEJJXjyv2cXFWlTY2CN_RtgltZFuASHuD78gtpp7injZdtiHZkfJVKekb4X8DG7PMB0b7_kYPQJn6xkpZooU650wUhvsk0OaQ3xaMw/w356-h640/293352688_767751487600820_1409855432843210332_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p>It rained that afternoon, but under fairer weather conditions, i can imagine sitting here soaking in the sunset. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZhrz5eolHpP8SW2IZz52CCsKoJgG3-5G1noUmee3MlYT9N2faIopHLNxIP88Ny69e1ZwuuwWkNm2-fEmnnEFaoJ-eYgzPOmLvaPa8Mag2KM465weZJRAlJgxV3ibpkQAaQiW8BdJt6kTpvPwAr6SzdsOuV7K1rkRMjJzh1jXqxiSGV6Kig/s1728/292714402_779371883235277_9035775098915730793_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZhrz5eolHpP8SW2IZz52CCsKoJgG3-5G1noUmee3MlYT9N2faIopHLNxIP88Ny69e1ZwuuwWkNm2-fEmnnEFaoJ-eYgzPOmLvaPa8Mag2KM465weZJRAlJgxV3ibpkQAaQiW8BdJt6kTpvPwAr6SzdsOuV7K1rkRMjJzh1jXqxiSGV6Kig/w356-h640/292714402_779371883235277_9035775098915730793_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>Finally the clock struck 5PM and the staff <i>did</i> start clearing the tables. The cute intern (who just started in her job a few days earlier) chatted a bit, and i remember she asked me why i was alone. Sadly, grumpy folks like me cannot generate instant witty comebacks just when one really needs them, and i proffered some lame reason. </p><p>The next day (Monday), i was due to return back to Manila. After lunch with S. at Hatch Coffee [refer to one of the earlier posts in this series], i decided on impulse to detour to Hot Cat before going down. </p><p></p><p>The place was much quieter this time; in fact, they forgot to flip the "Closed" sign. Whoops :D :D Here's the friendly owner doing his thing, and a shot of the interiors. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s0jtfyi-7154KyVbHb_IJaNt-LSlnkAon0NvSQt6pLZ41foGpMdjZWXJ529IZ_NL-g2Sa1GoPd4B4-YncAoimt94Webf8SmqxX3iTX3PW-0cNF_X0B7Mxu1md7J8bIWVKhNEXjYCXgjTpFZ05lgRLZ5n7cbQwSfXsJLXC909SjJ-crdFjA/s2016/294357132_569310721529438_4862988778706268914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s0jtfyi-7154KyVbHb_IJaNt-LSlnkAon0NvSQt6pLZ41foGpMdjZWXJ529IZ_NL-g2Sa1GoPd4B4-YncAoimt94Webf8SmqxX3iTX3PW-0cNF_X0B7Mxu1md7J8bIWVKhNEXjYCXgjTpFZ05lgRLZ5n7cbQwSfXsJLXC909SjJ-crdFjA/w356-h640/294357132_569310721529438_4862988778706268914_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjnNmq4MJLbYvQsiNsHJQYxhnfd5a5zDV8cYtIxWlGWWLhxbPn78C-hA_Y8ABTEPvV-ocE4KW3oWGx51gMifv25aHz1HIpbCvtecvfyXw8u7bT9oPrWAzvZH21Tfg-LbmIv-UqNo6BGrbO6a7TG5CGEgYfeeuBk-LwkdQ9XBlwpZ7-mpRlQ/s2016/294723831_1014861245845037_2151070194222496118_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjnNmq4MJLbYvQsiNsHJQYxhnfd5a5zDV8cYtIxWlGWWLhxbPn78C-hA_Y8ABTEPvV-ocE4KW3oWGx51gMifv25aHz1HIpbCvtecvfyXw8u7bT9oPrWAzvZH21Tfg-LbmIv-UqNo6BGrbO6a7TG5CGEgYfeeuBk-LwkdQ9XBlwpZ7-mpRlQ/w356-h640/294723831_1014861245845037_2151070194222496118_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p>Oh, and of course, i guess it won't be hot cat without the cats! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAMl23yNgFtvPQRsXr0g3iyVIyaDOmwvD9vgT1e6Ni5TjbjFP_XbpfEwBj9Hbz5Geg5sCsF_Kt90dqWcF4BW1OX9spF-7wNauRi7mMyRrJlugwirSklgpaQm1412TqylmGptuz_n14anGLo4vjv9f5oQKuGYgzu_S8Lsh5cTJfdFKXreOyA/s2016/294761368_463531492282688_2799224597771937981_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNdYyFpxueilvACYv2GeMXTgFid71UCf3lUEQ7K77U4E66QqJHnFfyiNVQsJmmFnNEcrLIvoMEBqhq2scG03kR9im_jXrtampGH7ODp4Lf0FV_GRH4zhgvl_FSCUObOOOfa9HYQdLy46PkllYdwrSXrAtjLib_J6dIORLfViW2mJcclhzXw/s2016/294224985_342668638079831_554462589123721428_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNdYyFpxueilvACYv2GeMXTgFid71UCf3lUEQ7K77U4E66QqJHnFfyiNVQsJmmFnNEcrLIvoMEBqhq2scG03kR9im_jXrtampGH7ODp4Lf0FV_GRH4zhgvl_FSCUObOOOfa9HYQdLy46PkllYdwrSXrAtjLib_J6dIORLfViW2mJcclhzXw/w400-h225/294224985_342668638079831_554462589123721428_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a lone sad note, cute intern wasn't around, so my rehearsed witticisms to possible hypothetical questions went for naught ;-D <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: courier;">They are located inside the compound at Yangco Road corner Brent Road (literally facing the Brent School campus), and can be found on Facebook (Hot Cat Specialty Coffee) and Instagram (bahaypusa). <br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></span><br /></p>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-60149113045288579392022-07-16T05:26:00.002-07:002022-07-16T05:26:59.749-07:00CITY OF PINES 2022: CAMP JOHN HAY FOREST BATHING TRAIL<p>When one thinks of the former US base Camp John Hay, hiking is not usually one of the first activities that come to mind. It's more of the luxurious accommodations at The Manor, the golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, the restaurants, the duty-free stores...heck, the mini-golf course even. </p><p>But i had stumbled upon a blog that talked about forest hiking trails inside CJH. And there apparently were two of them. I'm not much of a hiker, but this trip was supposed to be a relaxing one away from maddening crowds and tourist spots; and despite initial apprehensions (<i>"ummm, where does one pee if one needs to pee? what if i encounter a huge snake blocking the path? may cellphone signal ba dyannn?"</i>), we said let's gooo! <br /></p><p>The shorter, more popular trail is known as the <b>Eco-trail,</b> and can be accessed across Le Monet Hotel on one end, with its other end near Gate 3, the camp's former main entrance.</p><p>Our activity today was to walk along the <b><i>other</i></b> trail, called the Yellow Trail. This is a longer, winding hiking trail through the pine forest on the southern and eastern
regions of Camp John Hay. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSwIXJv8p_hQR9NTuXEkYG9A26-_9owEMZ-ZJs-8XoKB7f1ASsUX-VKQE823hyIgG881UGdGnKRTOVPiJCRMCyaQ6Q90x0qRS5f_w4FutjonaEXw4sAmhTz3iXVbEVt0mn1DpSV01E5EbmrrjIYcE7v8E8oVO02kQeE2CQC7EY5EnZRcP-g/s2016/291855405_993016661393400_6584505004086682751_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSwIXJv8p_hQR9NTuXEkYG9A26-_9owEMZ-ZJs-8XoKB7f1ASsUX-VKQE823hyIgG881UGdGnKRTOVPiJCRMCyaQ6Q90x0qRS5f_w4FutjonaEXw4sAmhTz3iXVbEVt0mn1DpSV01E5EbmrrjIYcE7v8E8oVO02kQeE2CQC7EY5EnZRcP-g/w356-h640/291855405_993016661393400_6584505004086682751_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>The Yellow Trail has been renamed by the Dept of Tourism, and is now known as the Camp John Hay Forest Bathing Trail. According to the site Ikot.PH, this was opened to the public in November 2018. The underlying idea was to introduce the practice of <em>shinrin-yoku</em> as a tourism and recreational activity in Baguio. <br /></p><p>You might ask, what's this? Well, i will explain not-so-grumpily: <em>shinrin-yoku</em> literally translates to ‘forest bathing’ (after the Japanese words <em>shinrin</em>, which means ‘forest’; and <em>yoku</em>, which means ‘bath’). </p><p>Basically, it is the concept of taking a recreational trip into the forest for
meditation, relaxation, therapy, and well-being. There have been some anecdotal studies showing how this is helpful in lowering blood pressure, boosting one's mood, and the like. <br /></p><p>After some searching, we found our starting point! Above is the <i>Torii </i>marking one end of the Forest Bathing Trail (i.e. Point 1). It
is situated on the far end of the parking lot on the western slope
of Scout Hill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR25VDDsfXm6Ha38Y9UnqdszbLRl9wjsPDvCUTYcMh4gMgcV9Jw0bwDh3ClVIMUfwVFeKFQBS4eYZUGGrEDTcBSK_CTihFWUHrPQKIsh_rsezYdfuejdXzyGvF0TuCwt-oB3DOr4eaB-UWYchaqWULG1wm9aaBsoj7qWQu_KDOn-7w43bnow/s2016/292206736_781556926362122_4121573240694580022_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR25VDDsfXm6Ha38Y9UnqdszbLRl9wjsPDvCUTYcMh4gMgcV9Jw0bwDh3ClVIMUfwVFeKFQBS4eYZUGGrEDTcBSK_CTihFWUHrPQKIsh_rsezYdfuejdXzyGvF0TuCwt-oB3DOr4eaB-UWYchaqWULG1wm9aaBsoj7qWQu_KDOn-7w43bnow/w400-h225/292206736_781556926362122_4121573240694580022_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> Here below is a list of Do's and Dont's before one enters the trail. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD7hbJgKw11zLKfoQqo8H1tKg1lT8Oc7plFWzXLjtdJ6K9MsvtkIXCagH_5AHZ-YQpMryo2LFtkAXOtXMxyxQFgEqSC8kS9dWQlX9YjpfMaB45NQrqybpgMz_NLQkyqsaot2QW77J8unPq4LHsN5L1aJ4mwusVPaC7lcC-ed0K8TTEq60sA/s2016/292270820_1713255522370816_4959875030868933571_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD7hbJgKw11zLKfoQqo8H1tKg1lT8Oc7plFWzXLjtdJ6K9MsvtkIXCagH_5AHZ-YQpMryo2LFtkAXOtXMxyxQFgEqSC8kS9dWQlX9YjpfMaB45NQrqybpgMz_NLQkyqsaot2QW77J8unPq4LHsN5L1aJ4mwusVPaC7lcC-ed0K8TTEq60sA/w356-h640/292270820_1713255522370816_4959875030868933571_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The forest bathing trail is divided into 9 checkpoints, with markers for each point. So off we go! (Aptly, the song 'No Turning Back' by Gui Boratto was playing on my mind) <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIKrnIXlN7B4oH6ZLGNhudEQQGic538PywS1vpCvqHa3F-fXOLFDPUsPRtw6O31jsRSbtoFDyMyA0DnwUBPFPnx-uRtO-_JVAyiCquXrs4uLfZBJMnTjefzXEvIdb-c3yTs0Qhfup_lzvQF44hXuMbxUzcbaB2pTo3lfKaD_KBoY_DbSByA/s2016/292632177_581584690159716_8121562480998722311_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIKrnIXlN7B4oH6ZLGNhudEQQGic538PywS1vpCvqHa3F-fXOLFDPUsPRtw6O31jsRSbtoFDyMyA0DnwUBPFPnx-uRtO-_JVAyiCquXrs4uLfZBJMnTjefzXEvIdb-c3yTs0Qhfup_lzvQF44hXuMbxUzcbaB2pTo3lfKaD_KBoY_DbSByA/w400-h225/292632177_581584690159716_8121562480998722311_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK8Mt45SM-odOOUGT7wKheQR5obqVOGno1WrQpXAJZx5iJKSRZTgV0JNhALEI172P8C1qngdXhTKPZPEIS3ZyqZI1kd5kVDd2NiG997WzBrbzqgt3kuW93VAFkJ-mXcyL_PgCybh4CDWC9PRYL6YNYCF9khhteewXEAXEy2LGW8Ht7vaDUA/s2016/293159648_410513944376740_6857170625823576474_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK8Mt45SM-odOOUGT7wKheQR5obqVOGno1WrQpXAJZx5iJKSRZTgV0JNhALEI172P8C1qngdXhTKPZPEIS3ZyqZI1kd5kVDd2NiG997WzBrbzqgt3kuW93VAFkJ-mXcyL_PgCybh4CDWC9PRYL6YNYCF9khhteewXEAXEy2LGW8Ht7vaDUA/w356-h640/293159648_410513944376740_6857170625823576474_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p> Not sure what the purpose of this one below is: <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t7n1B0F_qE7h0tTLdAi-tgRCqVeR3vxp8l9_3RkdCsIJ-xIHXmw69QrLNvCGezxyOZV9hRhkq1gL990MvsnanJt_0JhtC99GEOP-PdEKhTyfVCrH7ovl96S8UwSTk4azCtyX4ms7x5RnynRoi3bW8tNjQX5uWAcot4Db4yi-3QajAHGHgg/s2016/292868095_1439595519875529_467060366199592380_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t7n1B0F_qE7h0tTLdAi-tgRCqVeR3vxp8l9_3RkdCsIJ-xIHXmw69QrLNvCGezxyOZV9hRhkq1gL990MvsnanJt_0JhtC99GEOP-PdEKhTyfVCrH7ovl96S8UwSTk4azCtyX4ms7x5RnynRoi3bW8tNjQX5uWAcot4Db4yi-3QajAHGHgg/w356-h640/292868095_1439595519875529_467060366199592380_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meandering at a leisurely pace, with silence except for the faint chirps of birds, we reached Point 2 shortly. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EDshGF5MjRIO1lkuGAKyEcg3JRqiJ4xExRkzrPAHhcZqSqR4_fSx210XSpBhaG6qiwonx6ZiXTGiYyiIcFzJb5b7cVlt6_QMQKhHyThPl6uJxtXDikIZB1mzFFafOiWOxdoZ4YrDc7aH9FQs5FnlX-51IUDB8uW7882XszS9xKNz94hrDQ/s2016/291093468_1240279860042467_2865961187688707603_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EDshGF5MjRIO1lkuGAKyEcg3JRqiJ4xExRkzrPAHhcZqSqR4_fSx210XSpBhaG6qiwonx6ZiXTGiYyiIcFzJb5b7cVlt6_QMQKhHyThPl6uJxtXDikIZB1mzFFafOiWOxdoZ4YrDc7aH9FQs5FnlX-51IUDB8uW7882XszS9xKNz94hrDQ/w356-h640/291093468_1240279860042467_2865961187688707603_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is one of the flatter, more wide-open portions of the trail. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wvhS6nKUSqADwfwACRmmP7YY_Jgz5CBkqt4BeaLOOnmC2MeJg9cGQ5sSJvy_EjZItVF10QYCTvj7h1FdSTJ4jmM2FtEzGpV7iNL2X8XpIBHhRhdIR8WDCgx0zagHzdS48PLoMv9Gn5XFlwRWnp9I7rcnnPOjy6gxv4AusL5ozfEVO6vPgw/s2016/292313747_465850214873063_1323514839462784126_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wvhS6nKUSqADwfwACRmmP7YY_Jgz5CBkqt4BeaLOOnmC2MeJg9cGQ5sSJvy_EjZItVF10QYCTvj7h1FdSTJ4jmM2FtEzGpV7iNL2X8XpIBHhRhdIR8WDCgx0zagHzdS48PLoMv9Gn5XFlwRWnp9I7rcnnPOjy6gxv4AusL5ozfEVO6vPgw/w356-h640/292313747_465850214873063_1323514839462784126_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We bumped into this kid riding his bike along the trail (despite the rule expressly forbidding it). Thankfully, he turned back soon after. It would have been foolhardy to bike at the narrower, cobbled parts of the trail where one's frantic screams while dropping down the precipice will surely echo like a chamber of hellos hello hello hello :-D<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e073fASBA0uWLBgVM0eOjqH40gnVEROoAoNkOA6JAmYw22QU999m-aC_8__EP5uJXRxVRid4m1IvjmIl-WhbAwRM0MMVmeCiGJvsLAJu9zuH8UfUI26bKfASJLxY_mnhRaiQ_8xCN_YH5Xn269SrkBOEVMhMkdZkN86UJ685mUMz5lQukg/s2016/292204388_431439898886361_2268557386554916158_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e073fASBA0uWLBgVM0eOjqH40gnVEROoAoNkOA6JAmYw22QU999m-aC_8__EP5uJXRxVRid4m1IvjmIl-WhbAwRM0MMVmeCiGJvsLAJu9zuH8UfUI26bKfASJLxY_mnhRaiQ_8xCN_YH5Xn269SrkBOEVMhMkdZkN86UJ685mUMz5lQukg/w356-h640/292204388_431439898886361_2268557386554916158_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>Oh look, wind chimes! Nice! I wondered briefly what it would be like to be on this trail with an overcast gray sky, and a fierce wind blowing amidst the rumbles of an impending storm, just to hear how the wind chimes would sound like. <i>Sana</i> next time! (Oh wait, there might not be a next time ;-D)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRFXT98K1rccXdJ81NTuf84byFNQD6Nc_0JwWVs6uVgYC2tV-XpGvdg4LT8WiUd3iGA2bQEExrj-1SOYzl__TpszzbI16urJtYnByhn53Dp72zCxTBYx6xDFTkRm8REMeCusN1dKrV9R0hujS0RFBFA9ae-IgPIKbj8BMblazc3JrmgfZcQ/s2016/292591749_768800480981040_7995589657699575703_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRFXT98K1rccXdJ81NTuf84byFNQD6Nc_0JwWVs6uVgYC2tV-XpGvdg4LT8WiUd3iGA2bQEExrj-1SOYzl__TpszzbI16urJtYnByhn53Dp72zCxTBYx6xDFTkRm8REMeCusN1dKrV9R0hujS0RFBFA9ae-IgPIKbj8BMblazc3JrmgfZcQ/w356-h640/292591749_768800480981040_7995589657699575703_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We crossed paths with other folks walking the trail, coming from the other direction (they started at the opposite end, Point 9); and there is something about being relaxed and being outdoors that makes one more convivial, and invariably 'hellos' are exchanged amongst fellow hikers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This guy (see that person in blue?) was jogging briskly on the path, and came from behind us. Woww!<br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNJvXuZkOLmpDqbfZCOv3NTF3z4hAHuhsze0lXpR889R7XM1x-cLCHjk45uiqL7NtFWd9Sz3oIt2XubNmvb1wAnG7thsHA4-u_rxAcrATjk9VHtaLHeKf_QYVi_isf0JydYshIr6mmGIhngqM8OUz2OjVyutWc86Z94Iy7_5NVZTU9Ecwhw/s2016/292506334_2004771626398821_4129896086902557784_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNJvXuZkOLmpDqbfZCOv3NTF3z4hAHuhsze0lXpR889R7XM1x-cLCHjk45uiqL7NtFWd9Sz3oIt2XubNmvb1wAnG7thsHA4-u_rxAcrATjk9VHtaLHeKf_QYVi_isf0JydYshIr6mmGIhngqM8OUz2OjVyutWc86Z94Iy7_5NVZTU9Ecwhw/w356-h640/292506334_2004771626398821_4129896086902557784_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still some old vestiges of the former owner remain. Check the sign "Private Property: United States of America" that have been left untouched. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmpeBW8FANxb4WRShfJVrmscggSnBvONBnGOV1suFFcCwd5QSvmN6MB5LAKGieR2eR4YRgin1w31sH6V4KqjQhm8AaWYmGAHxU_muiS5yw_gbQDMWemESlNv88ohgzhDsPDJTJPRFXhtDQHl6txLtWRfNXIrdcSjS_Q6nFqtcx-m0m0p8WQ/s2016/290385746_362398722709339_8296446692122544218_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmpeBW8FANxb4WRShfJVrmscggSnBvONBnGOV1suFFcCwd5QSvmN6MB5LAKGieR2eR4YRgin1w31sH6V4KqjQhm8AaWYmGAHxU_muiS5yw_gbQDMWemESlNv88ohgzhDsPDJTJPRFXhtDQHl6txLtWRfNXIrdcSjS_Q6nFqtcx-m0m0p8WQ/w356-h640/290385746_362398722709339_8296446692122544218_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We eventually reached the midway point, i.e. Point 5. It is distinguished by a paved road and a guard crossing ("Residence: United States of America"). The guardhouse was shut, and looked like it had not been in use for many years, if one were to go by the
cobwebs attached to its door. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik76RevbtxIZh4QxUltoPwJwvfnFP59IT46Zh0Opvm8iWKuvKrpFg5RuIFEDSaxKTytdGVRy8BBBXvRn8goEgW0h647P4zm8S1Craraf5Rp_WqVdTKG3MCOBbJDVz0te0HH3uzwtQpAydd_pKykYi2AE1QOwBPU9vkovYuDalQQtc1b-Zvkw/s2016/292150845_419305886795455_3190780250212738252_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik76RevbtxIZh4QxUltoPwJwvfnFP59IT46Zh0Opvm8iWKuvKrpFg5RuIFEDSaxKTytdGVRy8BBBXvRn8goEgW0h647P4zm8S1Craraf5Rp_WqVdTKG3MCOBbJDVz0te0HH3uzwtQpAydd_pKykYi2AE1QOwBPU9vkovYuDalQQtc1b-Zvkw/w400-h225/292150845_419305886795455_3190780250212738252_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAdOeqQOhxsGncY0i7jNZiWpiAx0YutxUhDOVWOY2tbKU5wzSydEr62zVmsKen0z4jZqbsBse1DnEz4Ny1In4k6GyNJIqFYfTS8w7J3MSg1PjhoOsitjDaoFxCVlHKEg_RXUhkSGsmkos1lJvwAxoBiVNa3eiFDNKbmNq_dL3uukcV7m6Uw/s2016/292931571_459746232220675_2759990483681251483_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAdOeqQOhxsGncY0i7jNZiWpiAx0YutxUhDOVWOY2tbKU5wzSydEr62zVmsKen0z4jZqbsBse1DnEz4Ny1In4k6GyNJIqFYfTS8w7J3MSg1PjhoOsitjDaoFxCVlHKEg_RXUhkSGsmkos1lJvwAxoBiVNa3eiFDNKbmNq_dL3uukcV7m6Uw/w356-h640/292931571_459746232220675_2759990483681251483_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In some parts (like below), the path is less delineated; and one has to really watch one's step. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsR0u14sFTl88Gw2H4JsLEVYxh6UnX1O7JKPdZT1aVeU3HeZQSQSmMBsHPhahOMjONd6fjh2LWeIe2TmF-vURnR4_wqxNWaXRrGheSvYtdtzXbIhvymhdyuj7Xoh9YUYfFxsReOW8EIQt9PuVVNDc4f3b5MUbQlkPbcD9IONBjkEUVrtKmg/s2016/293873262_764075544805999_8932934082494759915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsR0u14sFTl88Gw2H4JsLEVYxh6UnX1O7JKPdZT1aVeU3HeZQSQSmMBsHPhahOMjONd6fjh2LWeIe2TmF-vURnR4_wqxNWaXRrGheSvYtdtzXbIhvymhdyuj7Xoh9YUYfFxsReOW8EIQt9PuVVNDc4f3b5MUbQlkPbcD9IONBjkEUVrtKmg/w356-h640/293873262_764075544805999_8932934082494759915_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here and there, there were folks on the trail who had the time and talent to stack rocks on top of one another, with pretty results: <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapicwHPeSDmul24ZxFDWdKjEzEiKkYaEUHnHdQqqxUsmYmhItUd9hceYebppNUMEm-I2Ti641Wzki2mXUJVs-DS8En74eyBOB3Mm0tPq4tEKPY2EyRfNaiLZXU05RqgQc-aMZ36QJQv7oSGdSQynqS4sCmCjHRWk6HRHr2k_vb-PpDT1ITw/s2016/291923140_3121443648097491_6017442337146095066_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapicwHPeSDmul24ZxFDWdKjEzEiKkYaEUHnHdQqqxUsmYmhItUd9hceYebppNUMEm-I2Ti641Wzki2mXUJVs-DS8En74eyBOB3Mm0tPq4tEKPY2EyRfNaiLZXU05RqgQc-aMZ36QJQv7oSGdSQynqS4sCmCjHRWk6HRHr2k_vb-PpDT1ITw/w356-h640/291923140_3121443648097491_6017442337146095066_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one below was my favorite. Nice formation, with a killer view point to boot. It was an ideal pit stop/resting place to just take it all in. Remember, the idea of forest bathing was to walk/hike leisurely....this is not meant to be The Amazing Race. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX7x-1j-p-rYia988BM2GS3SBJDA6admHiB_PrH38_qYZbz086xqqH6eSpVFA7rI6NhvJ7ymvoQHEMFUQIiYA-8hRrqr845927DaafcA44HlJoYUt5ONDsvHLyntOmM6kBULnXNuhakHSL8uhoorUeTYqfSbI86-F69-0EnCFWBL2j0sfnQ/s2016/293588693_442919457701929_6583912392595383425_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX7x-1j-p-rYia988BM2GS3SBJDA6admHiB_PrH38_qYZbz086xqqH6eSpVFA7rI6NhvJ7ymvoQHEMFUQIiYA-8hRrqr845927DaafcA44HlJoYUt5ONDsvHLyntOmM6kBULnXNuhakHSL8uhoorUeTYqfSbI86-F69-0EnCFWBL2j0sfnQ/w356-h640/293588693_442919457701929_6583912392595383425_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Signages (both the new 'Forest Bathing Center' and old 'Yellow Trail') along the way, reassuring one that one has not gotten lost hehe! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9fKiUoi6MTqIp8T7EoKVsF3HzyuK2AczeSBQQdI9rN9rgBNpNXnoaCZAga2T6JZjDum3dqC5eR2YROaO2naRdcs3AdXT3FifSJTVYG6aGLtZhm6YWxzpf8ovcyv0FQqJp2Uvy3XzKsqzcdvznqZbZgQOTJBLGoMBm-E_v3QmvyJRstniMQ/s2016/291947210_1085779962332311_6714742415354614798_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9fKiUoi6MTqIp8T7EoKVsF3HzyuK2AczeSBQQdI9rN9rgBNpNXnoaCZAga2T6JZjDum3dqC5eR2YROaO2naRdcs3AdXT3FifSJTVYG6aGLtZhm6YWxzpf8ovcyv0FQqJp2Uvy3XzKsqzcdvznqZbZgQOTJBLGoMBm-E_v3QmvyJRstniMQ/w356-h640/291947210_1085779962332311_6714742415354614798_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Obligatory hiking photo of <i>moi</i>, lest my friends think i'm too lazy to actually hike and am faking all of this. LOL :-D <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU4AENAms0aysqp4fCQs4RxvzYDM7Fy0sLlhpjIN9Y3sGn4rPkVGKGZHfnANMmwtCRsJQIuP9GFsXJYWMEUmaS_YDfpq-LYLa21AG0i2Anoq_0gDi5rEz17Fdqd2HLoXJVNBjiM39p2Gy_-5HBjCUUib0Ebm36R7ymQz9yV6FDX14Iny26w/s2040/292226611_444166250904836_7431891487040473789_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU4AENAms0aysqp4fCQs4RxvzYDM7Fy0sLlhpjIN9Y3sGn4rPkVGKGZHfnANMmwtCRsJQIuP9GFsXJYWMEUmaS_YDfpq-LYLa21AG0i2Anoq_0gDi5rEz17Fdqd2HLoXJVNBjiM39p2Gy_-5HBjCUUib0Ebm36R7ymQz9yV6FDX14Iny26w/w480-h640/292226611_444166250904836_7431891487040473789_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Point 8, already!! Okay! We are nearing the final leg of our journey! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodcbtKYwodNA054OjuTIdLRHhr1Re3Ph1MV_bAjkYS96_Fd18-eJrhpwM1VKoVn09LoL4V_2VfPVn9J9eK4-smCLNrLF0Gq387p0G_hhOpN77kzGizvSu8VVyr5PgY90OfCs9Y36AcWd9fOpAlU-Xau9Og1DTnDulIBJ36jGWGcvuPmdoPQ/s2016/293115435_1456368344788890_7577925004571234536_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodcbtKYwodNA054OjuTIdLRHhr1Re3Ph1MV_bAjkYS96_Fd18-eJrhpwM1VKoVn09LoL4V_2VfPVn9J9eK4-smCLNrLF0Gq387p0G_hhOpN77kzGizvSu8VVyr5PgY90OfCs9Y36AcWd9fOpAlU-Xau9Og1DTnDulIBJ36jGWGcvuPmdoPQ/w356-h640/293115435_1456368344788890_7577925004571234536_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We passed by a gymnasium-like structure, which seemed to be the zipline facility of CJH. Thereafter, there was a narrow, muddy stretch of path. Once you see this signage of the Butterfly Sanctuary, the end of the path will literally be in sight. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRLWJtVEbxK-QGEmeUUWjzMgXPggUcT95q-yu6SeQLJpCLlfSpeM2gX8-Aj9EiwQnDTmZgM5oogI6kxNrk-IWwA81hsKsxVQ2XLQOGBMDX6XOPdcULTblA9Ufl-4A0CD9H48_wp3922B9zUzjljhA_TIVbc5XBfuZwW2VR7gk6Dt4jIK86w/s2016/291946449_429774662368695_4660522938035705837_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRLWJtVEbxK-QGEmeUUWjzMgXPggUcT95q-yu6SeQLJpCLlfSpeM2gX8-Aj9EiwQnDTmZgM5oogI6kxNrk-IWwA81hsKsxVQ2XLQOGBMDX6XOPdcULTblA9Ufl-4A0CD9H48_wp3922B9zUzjljhA_TIVbc5XBfuZwW2VR7gk6Dt4jIK86w/w400-h225/291946449_429774662368695_4660522938035705837_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this below is the sign that you have completed the forest bathing trail....except that the signage seems to be missing (stolen? being repainted?). <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34fm1TA7752XII8i5X2v_Nl7MYNdtPZlyxXUpy9jZGGf7k7yy3oCoyNAafZ2kEWiox8Ldpw1FkFrzxgDOuYYu7ExryHSMOrzJffX7nuCnwLegJ-nJYQme_3rtWWxDVvHjOMJAhH8GIIXHPqJuaQQD-NFv_mCe_nRsj87I1wdvrq2g15Z1dA/s2016/293129526_440241177765989_6663792341522265458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34fm1TA7752XII8i5X2v_Nl7MYNdtPZlyxXUpy9jZGGf7k7yy3oCoyNAafZ2kEWiox8Ldpw1FkFrzxgDOuYYu7ExryHSMOrzJffX7nuCnwLegJ-nJYQme_3rtWWxDVvHjOMJAhH8GIIXHPqJuaQQD-NFv_mCe_nRsj87I1wdvrq2g15Z1dA/w356-h640/293129526_440241177765989_6663792341522265458_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p>But don't worry, beside it is the Butterfly Sanctuary, and they have a proper sign. Right next to it is the Lone Star Cafe, and fronting it is the open area used for go-karting. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQeg-MdH4lU4XLmJ09gcmBMtopiPbg1HOuDjryaCWgxMHVuOeQ20EIjPPTSHq07_BN96QnbceIex80HLdBlyZ9PEkVfu3C8Yd_jqP9e-9XqYOBA7ysDU-oC1ufobTHnYk8yqTcsc_YiwOxb9TfWwV8R_pNRWBBAhuY_OBbXxUFz7m1W1gOA/s2016/291787306_606358047499147_8090429374888024684_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQeg-MdH4lU4XLmJ09gcmBMtopiPbg1HOuDjryaCWgxMHVuOeQ20EIjPPTSHq07_BN96QnbceIex80HLdBlyZ9PEkVfu3C8Yd_jqP9e-9XqYOBA7ysDU-oC1ufobTHnYk8yqTcsc_YiwOxb9TfWwV8R_pNRWBBAhuY_OBbXxUFz7m1W1gOA/w356-h640/291787306_606358047499147_8090429374888024684_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br />And just like that, after walking for 1 1/2 hours, we finished the trail! Emerging back to civilization (exag :D). <br /><p></p><p>Mercifully, Point 9 lies just a few hundred meters away from our starting point, Point 1; and we were able to get back to our car in no time. Not before partaking of Baguio's famous strawberry <i>taho</i> from an ambulant vendor, of course. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijajkxt7tJATnuSALbDYxyqQj_8XU2FYsZ2KlFBRoO_3imeI4mcs2MMtQ9mY3byp2fk21uDlpi9aL62s7czjSBfaXjyH03XSAhHBcpV4ZKjmbjJX23flE2zzH1Y25gQbwWa6BHeFQNy4AziV1NT3m6qwFwHLjo3y9PSV-B3WN63xa4oMiXyQ/s2016/293200485_405561431385694_3079631406206724183_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijajkxt7tJATnuSALbDYxyqQj_8XU2FYsZ2KlFBRoO_3imeI4mcs2MMtQ9mY3byp2fk21uDlpi9aL62s7czjSBfaXjyH03XSAhHBcpV4ZKjmbjJX23flE2zzH1Y25gQbwWa6BHeFQNy4AziV1NT3m6qwFwHLjo3y9PSV-B3WN63xa4oMiXyQ/w356-h640/293200485_405561431385694_3079631406206724183_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>A fitting denouement to our forest trail adventure, no? (actually i couldn't think of any other way to end this blog post sorry not sorry)</p><p> </p><p>POSTSCRIPT: Some comments and observations about the Forest Bathing Trail: </p><p>a) When we reached Point 5, we realized we somehow missed the markers for Point 3 and 4. Likewise, upon reaching Point 8, we wondered where the markers for Point 6 and 7 were. Either we were not paying attention (not likely) or walking too fast (duh), but it just seemed weird to have missed seeing them. <br /></p><p>b) To get the full experience, I really suggest to put away one's phone and watch, and resist the urge to check either of them. There's enough time to do that later on. </p><p>c) I had read online that there would be some sort of registration area, or at least, a person with a log book, even though the trail is free. But no. One just shows up and starts walking. </p><p>d) From my POV as a seldom hiker, there were some parts of the trail that surely could use a handrail or two, for safety purposes. [Paging DOT!]<br /></p><p>e) Indeed, no toilet facilities anywhere along the trail. Not that we expected any. But one of us joked that a <i>sari-sari </i>store (selling softdrinks and Piattos and Juicy Fruit gum) in the midst of the path was the type of Pinoy thing that would be a cool and rather absurd thing to happen! :-D <br /></p><br /><p>For a full detailed account from a Baguio local, please check out: </p><p><a href=" https://phmillennia.com/along-the-forest-bathing-trail/"> https://phmillennia.com/along-the-forest-bathing-trail/</a><br /></p>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-21691662813864085842022-07-12T03:10:00.002-07:002022-07-12T03:10:43.023-07:00CITY OF PINES 2022: MT. KALUGONG KAPE-AN<p>So here we are, climbing the uneven rocky pathway up to one of the best features of Mt. Kalugong ecopark, the resident coffee shop Kape-an. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgNV-1V6-092Rmcuguc04Hbpokm1sS3OoZRDM77iAE36vh6-rieg-k1HoV_Hcn5PipPMYYDZVwzX_fMU0VKfkqTCs2NfQZ6HRk0oQPIQZFWM46NB9GWi_r7BH22gg5rELmsGk01PhVDveQfS19eaC9xo0RKgk5VTo-wh1Mg5pzvuq_p2G2w/s1728/291687575_758813425566701_8597752979859367383_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgNV-1V6-092Rmcuguc04Hbpokm1sS3OoZRDM77iAE36vh6-rieg-k1HoV_Hcn5PipPMYYDZVwzX_fMU0VKfkqTCs2NfQZ6HRk0oQPIQZFWM46NB9GWi_r7BH22gg5rELmsGk01PhVDveQfS19eaC9xo0RKgk5VTo-wh1Mg5pzvuq_p2G2w/w356-h640/291687575_758813425566701_8597752979859367383_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a humble wooden structure on the outside, but the interiors are really nice and spacious. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhPTatbffXKsUV1WC40uZR3Sig4zbGCqFDjKhK2XtgUvIkT5BeAYcZTEMviXp_D-Jz8Vz9jy9FDhnoufiX_cjwiR2epWKoh_EF8CYMh4ABCpjo8WLGo5X9wiJgZKadhP9IfW4-A6OGrHKHVC2W9joDhi8Bq-MhViPV9J9XwfUdi0uNwrxJQ/s2016/290646974_431757485505205_1207972382076104688_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhPTatbffXKsUV1WC40uZR3Sig4zbGCqFDjKhK2XtgUvIkT5BeAYcZTEMviXp_D-Jz8Vz9jy9FDhnoufiX_cjwiR2epWKoh_EF8CYMh4ABCpjo8WLGo5X9wiJgZKadhP9IfW4-A6OGrHKHVC2W9joDhi8Bq-MhViPV9J9XwfUdi0uNwrxJQ/w400-h225/290646974_431757485505205_1207972382076104688_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo-F0FSjLdtgrYOoeWwfizIg2gknJlVx3Cee7fedqPWmPDAQ-Y7H-1JuT4a1BFCu0HE9b3LbvaATqdWdj1XQNuC7HQeGzhFPZAhTiBMYaaEhu6o6h3OdGYM6H99EhDdB7-KMlK-mG9a4-C4dlP0-e9f-jsYBGWqInspQtIzTJ6VviV4yzUQ/s2016/290945118_587172729662864_6416272736531982488_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo-F0FSjLdtgrYOoeWwfizIg2gknJlVx3Cee7fedqPWmPDAQ-Y7H-1JuT4a1BFCu0HE9b3LbvaATqdWdj1XQNuC7HQeGzhFPZAhTiBMYaaEhu6o6h3OdGYM6H99EhDdB7-KMlK-mG9a4-C4dlP0-e9f-jsYBGWqInspQtIzTJ6VviV4yzUQ/w356-h640/290945118_587172729662864_6416272736531982488_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p>First thing you see is a wooden board, with menu items. There's also a glass display of the cakes ("kek") available. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPeOssoyu88ALb8SYENNGhCFozPjRDQDsdduuQTmHXQzma0geT5rK8jo6kG9iMAIVQ4ZQ-ySmjW4voYkBWbWdT4UufbLxpnZFehV-f58P5Qj6f5O5qcCrxCUXfKd6xFAboyv2BXDBHHvBqPYjptmKTHI7oHCD6sIzjc5qFZyenc4aq6UDcg/s2016/290825561_1455542201556570_5076681824066420427_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPeOssoyu88ALb8SYENNGhCFozPjRDQDsdduuQTmHXQzma0geT5rK8jo6kG9iMAIVQ4ZQ-ySmjW4voYkBWbWdT4UufbLxpnZFehV-f58P5Qj6f5O5qcCrxCUXfKd6xFAboyv2BXDBHHvBqPYjptmKTHI7oHCD6sIzjc5qFZyenc4aq6UDcg/w356-h640/290825561_1455542201556570_5076681824066420427_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>Wooden interiors provide that native, rustic feel that's conducive to chilling out (literally, especially if it's windy outside)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WG2YpvU8mxzrkNdm-9n1CxBwRV-Oc7H9NRMgkIbceXw5GbepdSzciCfBa0t1taBDEJr_wb2Ad5PPT2JD9g7qOA5qQXWmxTfC2x_ma6Y8U9mP5aQTPU4MT86R7eOWhVXyiXwHNEdn-4mUvqOQSizl20zMEgTWPlHsNRiKXgN6rlBRlRIEHg/s2016/291960022_1191197228089935_6437911113707388137_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WG2YpvU8mxzrkNdm-9n1CxBwRV-Oc7H9NRMgkIbceXw5GbepdSzciCfBa0t1taBDEJr_wb2Ad5PPT2JD9g7qOA5qQXWmxTfC2x_ma6Y8U9mP5aQTPU4MT86R7eOWhVXyiXwHNEdn-4mUvqOQSizl20zMEgTWPlHsNRiKXgN6rlBRlRIEHg/w400-h225/291960022_1191197228089935_6437911113707388137_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn3yOdJJZh5My_9wIe0uyNTUfiLlPk8KRPo1tosZhMK7IZo59kSzPwMLwOeZtLqzLG4CUr22jEJRNodS6VrsLpUmhnlw3BIL4GZHtOe0oq4Elce64bh6YKo_VUcaxxy4OrD3U7QVQGlOUP-RW7KmoHXAkZKFxjhVVdk5cwegkJgnkGqzMMg/s2016/291935476_792603925241386_2422148539695030776_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn3yOdJJZh5My_9wIe0uyNTUfiLlPk8KRPo1tosZhMK7IZo59kSzPwMLwOeZtLqzLG4CUr22jEJRNodS6VrsLpUmhnlw3BIL4GZHtOe0oq4Elce64bh6YKo_VUcaxxy4OrD3U7QVQGlOUP-RW7KmoHXAkZKFxjhVVdk5cwegkJgnkGqzMMg/w356-h640/291935476_792603925241386_2422148539695030776_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu5F3ory2-NWXfgSLtMjEZ1oqCi-9czjPJr1SKNz3enr8aIbxWkySuD2UX3x0yl3CiKApcVVJORB9Ab2Cgl7tCCGt1dRH_JCVgsbZjNAxe76noesLUafdJe_vUybxqhSReRBHpnRIElg4asW4-OF6pkcai7qzpNb8apHriDpruAmthklhwQ/s2016/290720289_447310570618955_3148911958764305401_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu5F3ory2-NWXfgSLtMjEZ1oqCi-9czjPJr1SKNz3enr8aIbxWkySuD2UX3x0yl3CiKApcVVJORB9Ab2Cgl7tCCGt1dRH_JCVgsbZjNAxe76noesLUafdJe_vUybxqhSReRBHpnRIElg4asW4-OF6pkcai7qzpNb8apHriDpruAmthklhwQ/w400-h225/290720289_447310570618955_3148911958764305401_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would give a lot to sleep so soundly as this cute doggo here ;-D <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ama4i4ZSvTUL2ESj3mNbcL8tE6NyNTgGEeYvp0lzGhV9cKbGL3EvlCKAsibFobuKa_B-6NP4szCpLNZMCfDPQDDuGykMVQDvbhZCQ82yf0sa3qf4UyQ-wDiTSHy8eYiwv07HZ20PukJJPnY6kG-JTw8bIW8fvNwDk8EzABalxINg8GadA/s2016/291989914_426883516029542_198098867291281808_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ama4i4ZSvTUL2ESj3mNbcL8tE6NyNTgGEeYvp0lzGhV9cKbGL3EvlCKAsibFobuKa_B-6NP4szCpLNZMCfDPQDDuGykMVQDvbhZCQ82yf0sa3qf4UyQ-wDiTSHy8eYiwv07HZ20PukJJPnY6kG-JTw8bIW8fvNwDk8EzABalxINg8GadA/w356-h640/291989914_426883516029542_198098867291281808_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p>I ordered the crispy chicken fillet burger, which proved to be absolutely juicy
and scrumptious. This beats McChicken at any time of the day in any
altitude!!! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iJ6xTxfZonmHPfOQXQ5kn6KoJ6-Vs8wbDgWFaf3pMOCyYuecnowBjnBsK4KgqHxwCSkOQCWXZwh39oS2N_CU6FRHrwhUxo8STA9_Of6JspuNzzGJx8ivhbmY4g0LWQN2Lmpt_O91xgz7oXmP1hfVkbdnwcmmU5nf8qQOMwzA1AhTws06Rg/s2016/292124810_1072808036668885_5818471368591473976_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iJ6xTxfZonmHPfOQXQ5kn6KoJ6-Vs8wbDgWFaf3pMOCyYuecnowBjnBsK4KgqHxwCSkOQCWXZwh39oS2N_CU6FRHrwhUxo8STA9_Of6JspuNzzGJx8ivhbmY4g0LWQN2Lmpt_O91xgz7oXmP1hfVkbdnwcmmU5nf8qQOMwzA1AhTws06Rg/w400-h225/292124810_1072808036668885_5818471368591473976_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> I resisted from ordering coffee, and instead went for the Strawberry Milkshake (hey we are in Baguio....err, La Trinidad diba). Very very good, i could drink this every day. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQC41mXNMY8-ybgm1fkobPs560gp1ah7Wdy3PMgLL99HpbVyQWVQqFch21Xcnck-Xh7HKL1i-3kxFfLcKdx1_UnAHdewVD5tOBCHUfQITqRNJrAslnGgG29Z_quUwUzb6YYz1c7wtXwU6ZLAinl2Qu_Fa5cWWSW9I71vgWp5QBQuOMBAAMg/s2016/291334734_396175402496058_3958896567774708843_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQC41mXNMY8-ybgm1fkobPs560gp1ah7Wdy3PMgLL99HpbVyQWVQqFch21Xcnck-Xh7HKL1i-3kxFfLcKdx1_UnAHdewVD5tOBCHUfQITqRNJrAslnGgG29Z_quUwUzb6YYz1c7wtXwU6ZLAinl2Qu_Fa5cWWSW9I71vgWp5QBQuOMBAAMg/w356-h640/291334734_396175402496058_3958896567774708843_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br />And here is the best feature yet of Kape-an: They have this balcony/view deck, which provides an all-encompassing view of La Trinidad. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsZfN5IUe2TaGJIU1VAibwbd52xZvITS8MpOY7AiJTDSdvT8bBx6Dkob8DeNXiUoP65P-v7y45ykKu1FfgfAbKDtrQzy1ktEXISvHYnrmMQuiBL9MF83zv6cU1ecUkWpmKmWGBQG_Hr1KsPSF7ndsLeP8plfIpfs_XjqUq7ODBsx0-3x5pA/s2016/291895620_561262658828035_2498867332940710955_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsZfN5IUe2TaGJIU1VAibwbd52xZvITS8MpOY7AiJTDSdvT8bBx6Dkob8DeNXiUoP65P-v7y45ykKu1FfgfAbKDtrQzy1ktEXISvHYnrmMQuiBL9MF83zv6cU1ecUkWpmKmWGBQG_Hr1KsPSF7ndsLeP8plfIpfs_XjqUq7ODBsx0-3x5pA/w400-h225/291895620_561262658828035_2498867332940710955_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><p>Ah! Just glorious, isn't it? Yup, that's the strawberry farms right there!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1_0SphMrCeefPXMqT1AUQqIRqoqPNYsV9PE29PcxusAqaxtePehhBYMPItSM8Aif1_-PkwQ3QB8kamAhKA4iYPn6RRElajTT4HEMaj28TnG_SgNkKNBcYp8UkUTsVtGb884xqsllwJ8vC8DliRHLmiMf1IGoj75QCADDLpzS7_5yN0mIyA/s2016/292022889_349806133991260_2497220876408262862_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1_0SphMrCeefPXMqT1AUQqIRqoqPNYsV9PE29PcxusAqaxtePehhBYMPItSM8Aif1_-PkwQ3QB8kamAhKA4iYPn6RRElajTT4HEMaj28TnG_SgNkKNBcYp8UkUTsVtGb884xqsllwJ8vC8DliRHLmiMf1IGoj75QCADDLpzS7_5yN0mIyA/w400-h225/292022889_349806133991260_2497220876408262862_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXanNHK80C3O0teNHXjwDz2NtPnaoxG6_1Zfms4YbJZHL1HqVaKMLotdqFEvdUsfvwH3nAnjWybzozLErVRsis8zR4W2cUSDaw7Vrnv3gnzH0n9nSKsLLLW0444_T8nq8G0F1fJmWk4ZHZcANWqq-XRSf1GYkObdos-vFaik5O9u2RJni8Dw/s2016/292304306_721189418986551_1358076947259923555_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXanNHK80C3O0teNHXjwDz2NtPnaoxG6_1Zfms4YbJZHL1HqVaKMLotdqFEvdUsfvwH3nAnjWybzozLErVRsis8zR4W2cUSDaw7Vrnv3gnzH0n9nSKsLLLW0444_T8nq8G0F1fJmWk4ZHZcANWqq-XRSf1GYkObdos-vFaik5O9u2RJni8Dw/w400-h225/292304306_721189418986551_1358076947259923555_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxS_FWglaBnYjrD5rRT3MzZLDoIjFZPvVaSDIhpDxB-fEVRPhlQvnUEB6UBL6wPR1lFoOyoa5jGdeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kape-an is the perfect place to relax and have a bite to eat, before one leaves and hikes back to the jump-off point and returns to Baguio. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only downside i can think of is that their Wi-fi is not free. They charge PHP40.00 for 2 hours use (for 2 devices). </div><p></p><p>Please check their Facebook Page 'Mt. Kalugong Kape-an/Cafe' and Instagram 'kalugongkapean' for menu and updates.<br /></p>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-76697521151301288492022-07-10T01:09:00.013-07:002022-07-10T18:22:53.019-07:00CITY OF PINES 2022: MT. KALUGONG CULTURAL VILLAGE<p>I first got wind of Mt. Kalugong when a friend of mine posted photos about it on Facebook last December. Intrigued, i snooped around a bit, and realized it was located around 30 min away from Baguio city. </p><p>As i have been to Baguio many times, and didn't intend to do touristy stuff like boating at Burnham Park nor kabayo-ing at Wright Park, i thought this seemed the perfect activity to try. <br /></p><p>So it was that on one hot, muggy day, we set off for Mt. Kalugong Cultural Village. <br /></p><p>For background, the name <i>'kalugong'</i> comes from the local term for 'hat'. Apparently, the rock formations at the peak look like a hat when viewed from below. <br /></p><p>To get there: Ride a jeep bound for Camp Dangwa or Upper/Lower Tomay (this is the same jeep that goes to the strawberry farms in La Trinidad). Alternatively, just as we did, we took a taxi. <br /></p><p>Make sure to tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Cruz. This is well-known to PUV drivers, and the road is quite a busy one with many commercial establishments; so finding a jeep or a taxi going back to Baguio afterwards will not be a problem. <br /></p><p>This is the jump-off point, so once you see this, you are in the right place: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkOh5kW-K8r4I5owFK4oQz-f5Yr_O3jAaS0seST5DfjHa4eYmp0szuYMxzcO9DQU05Ivn9Xs1EUxcMX8p3OgCPAOTQni_DSPq_X6mJi-COejOnQN9iQQvm7OBJqdOHiDJmMxBLREwks6uhnDGhYZGUbf2O2mDDac1yr1_Ii7vJq7nb9IVcg/s2048/292241798_567343844854445_1266827529997673795_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="2048" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkOh5kW-K8r4I5owFK4oQz-f5Yr_O3jAaS0seST5DfjHa4eYmp0szuYMxzcO9DQU05Ivn9Xs1EUxcMX8p3OgCPAOTQni_DSPq_X6mJi-COejOnQN9iQQvm7OBJqdOHiDJmMxBLREwks6uhnDGhYZGUbf2O2mDDac1yr1_Ii7vJq7nb9IVcg/w400-h231/292241798_567343844854445_1266827529997673795_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />At the corner is where Benguet Memorial Service is located. But hey, don't let any macabre thoughts creep into your mind :-D To my knowledge, no one has expired yet while going up to Mt. Kalugong and needing memorial services! Here's a closer look: <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktWrVHQw86CRppYgPPmEJBrglkacNl1h8Fs0bHDVekCV7xNkJGo6KB48Drhr_TgrloEL038ksd03pmPJSSLmJ-OXT6TU6itrgR8V0GcUB4c8UDrwfzdbnd7OTavljkkaSMZdT3WGRVkeYCf2rN62BLueQ4xB-ByiJLdI5zbPXNCx88zu0yA/s2016/291391852_401093648719195_8726027215200001938_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktWrVHQw86CRppYgPPmEJBrglkacNl1h8Fs0bHDVekCV7xNkJGo6KB48Drhr_TgrloEL038ksd03pmPJSSLmJ-OXT6TU6itrgR8V0GcUB4c8UDrwfzdbnd7OTavljkkaSMZdT3WGRVkeYCf2rN62BLueQ4xB-ByiJLdI5zbPXNCx88zu0yA/w400-h225/291391852_401093648719195_8726027215200001938_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The road going up is well-paved, and winding in some parts, and steep. Make that very steep. We stopped periodically to drink water and catch our breath. </p><p>Signages along the way, providing encouragement :-D<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2UsVYCTILzQMfvFlsPkSciJX64vW-RY0Uzaj95ISkVmJYeVuJ4uPfYNSJfA5Rh6P-dwoU3ZBAJ6wy-6gEcufQi3eY-p85bTYNO6rsp_U1cOrCz5j-UlvofFzfTWXxuzX-FhNg6NYcfLD8jOMkgQrrj3_ZqRmLa1maFP0XuZeEPCFsYLBYg/s2016/290825078_2303551103116322_7109710269337458436_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2UsVYCTILzQMfvFlsPkSciJX64vW-RY0Uzaj95ISkVmJYeVuJ4uPfYNSJfA5Rh6P-dwoU3ZBAJ6wy-6gEcufQi3eY-p85bTYNO6rsp_U1cOrCz5j-UlvofFzfTWXxuzX-FhNg6NYcfLD8jOMkgQrrj3_ZqRmLa1maFP0XuZeEPCFsYLBYg/w356-h640/290825078_2303551103116322_7109710269337458436_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzEurvhVqtAqRZTtZ7vNqghDSK_GYXbktIMAKMPR7JwMmYGUAZuFUAJMz7WxP6OO0l5jqSo1xDHSjNuGdEMyghnzE9HyHThgypMGWlnvvYBK96-qdtaVmfqd415pA3kKNCzYh4420r2ykglZZGE05yYDe9AxhLERK3OTTP35YRCvOsV2H1A/s2040/291715991_1712152482475434_3235049745119844809_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzEurvhVqtAqRZTtZ7vNqghDSK_GYXbktIMAKMPR7JwMmYGUAZuFUAJMz7WxP6OO0l5jqSo1xDHSjNuGdEMyghnzE9HyHThgypMGWlnvvYBK96-qdtaVmfqd415pA3kKNCzYh4420r2ykglZZGE05yYDe9AxhLERK3OTTP35YRCvOsV2H1A/w480-h640/291715991_1712152482475434_3235049745119844809_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually, the paved road reaches a private subdivision gate (take note the gate is closed from 6PM to 6AM). Only a few houses built so far. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKpvCC-QLOXFAbisqLkEaw_GY5UZr0OerzDN_9xhgDdIZJ_BBj4u-LyVJTg89toaloE60DhyBL_IVXAM6FXwztP5hZWPYq1XxoZ4lm4bCABLYlxsXj3Lg0FtSbscfFNmKeNzMFcbdNLHet6EmQ_XEqpkq_96D3HhyIjut0XetQCLoXUPqPQ/s2016/291098993_717031329336790_6687096181980473192_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKpvCC-QLOXFAbisqLkEaw_GY5UZr0OerzDN_9xhgDdIZJ_BBj4u-LyVJTg89toaloE60DhyBL_IVXAM6FXwztP5hZWPYq1XxoZ4lm4bCABLYlxsXj3Lg0FtSbscfFNmKeNzMFcbdNLHet6EmQ_XEqpkq_96D3HhyIjut0XetQCLoXUPqPQ/w400-h225/291098993_717031329336790_6687096181980473192_n.jpg" width="400" />\</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF-Gg48FA_Ee2uO21qAqtNHJLql8I6U_vJkSIjwETyV3z-M8UF1-E4S1eRO0plLHdoWTVKmfi-AlFqG0bYwb14VsSV3hj4LUcULES8xGtJ7r7nwv4jm_z3My4C18eH8oTakxfF5rlMvAqEqNkTgBGXfaDxSKoPjUckiAm5EEfaLlHWVzSow/s2016/291752782_572735174349100_910161351368015213_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF-Gg48FA_Ee2uO21qAqtNHJLql8I6U_vJkSIjwETyV3z-M8UF1-E4S1eRO0plLHdoWTVKmfi-AlFqG0bYwb14VsSV3hj4LUcULES8xGtJ7r7nwv4jm_z3My4C18eH8oTakxfF5rlMvAqEqNkTgBGXfaDxSKoPjUckiAm5EEfaLlHWVzSow/w356-h640/291752782_572735174349100_910161351368015213_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I realized this is one other way of getting to Mt. Kalugong: Rather than huffing and puffing from the jump-off point, one can actually bring a private vehicle and go up the paved road, and park along the road of this very quiet subdivision. (Or take a taxi and pay the driver extra to bring you up to this point) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This way, one cuts out most of the hike (and the huffing and puffing). But of course, slackers like me do not take the easy way out! <i>Laban langggg! </i>**puffs chest out in fake, vainglorious display of bravado**</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(My friend S. told me later on that no need for an SUV, her Honda Jazz could manage the steep road)<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXhuJ2UNYkgV8PHWtB2RyQV8I_Gt4CLdbI8HuTMbpd3WOV7iD6mbrJARmPHituZHoB-59Yta5pKVPMXjv2eciLLts3s6oauwoLcLfgSpfGif7bR2Vf5Y73DLe8GkYE3HPoYk2PpRwpzel2UaIC7ZhPDfkX1X0tQadNM0qdG0nhvkmVhKWZg/s2016/291940810_1067100884232153_3108344809537118425_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXhuJ2UNYkgV8PHWtB2RyQV8I_Gt4CLdbI8HuTMbpd3WOV7iD6mbrJARmPHituZHoB-59Yta5pKVPMXjv2eciLLts3s6oauwoLcLfgSpfGif7bR2Vf5Y73DLe8GkYE3HPoYk2PpRwpzel2UaIC7ZhPDfkX1X0tQadNM0qdG0nhvkmVhKWZg/w356-h640/291940810_1067100884232153_3108344809537118425_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, so this is the end of the cemented road inside the subdivision. Another encouraging sign that <i>"You are healthy"</i>!! Woohoo!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">At this point onwards, one has to walk up going to the cultural village. We
turned left and continued going up the foot path, which was narrow and uneven and
rather muddy. Thankfully, one can hold on to the makeshift fence made from bamboo poles (watch
out for the barbed wire, though)</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwbVTTxBTltcXV8cBdN4e3yUpvvayw7j8hhagjYolJGL9Ws-EHQkitgs_9WuSlCRhBEcw3aOTd8B8UndfassXKhEafdeVcJzltcU9rAuPa05WZFn9mkCgwC3oF6jl0X3EvBYD3tv8v44d4xhnY2IK12qii9Ry0-UAPV32PlFRjOJFiTOQWQ/s2016/290728355_580431990100126_3569740570849964345_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwbVTTxBTltcXV8cBdN4e3yUpvvayw7j8hhagjYolJGL9Ws-EHQkitgs_9WuSlCRhBEcw3aOTd8B8UndfassXKhEafdeVcJzltcU9rAuPa05WZFn9mkCgwC3oF6jl0X3EvBYD3tv8v44d4xhnY2IK12qii9Ry0-UAPV32PlFRjOJFiTOQWQ/w400-h225/290728355_580431990100126_3569740570849964345_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IwjAzfZQiYOJr3oSmlAobtKHY2mcf0pzdIX1YXLMhpQxBd9pdo_sw9KSDD7trhKM4YqOKpXRhN7wEbGgDzqirRoPujO-BRPe5jHqRASn7xrYNbCwJNeCeSNB1Ui_FtXmYosG23gHvLz_796Ldz5NeI3B-MO6fve1l5iULOHldAjXwMJqww/s2016/292159746_1407133083133709_5836158178703991822_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IwjAzfZQiYOJr3oSmlAobtKHY2mcf0pzdIX1YXLMhpQxBd9pdo_sw9KSDD7trhKM4YqOKpXRhN7wEbGgDzqirRoPujO-BRPe5jHqRASn7xrYNbCwJNeCeSNB1Ui_FtXmYosG23gHvLz_796Ldz5NeI3B-MO6fve1l5iULOHldAjXwMJqww/w400-h225/292159746_1407133083133709_5836158178703991822_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a short clip for better appreciation of the lovely view, as well as what the steps going up look like: <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJMzq_VqNsYi43suJ1qWQH3OmeAg_JhJ9BgH_tsxaiSd7NFjYwxfWw3aKdE2PLASGe5w3UaQw_akw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And after more huffing and puffing, we reached the ecopark. Yes!! [fist pump]<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3wh83JwXTJ000xmS0UjOfYTd0x_I08U_FNk_APwlAP0lWuTmr4S4rWzp6VfopHkdytQsNTWR0njZg0qxsTsPwmBjnX4MiY-Uyq4IQXUmr5oTye92lUYG31kAoZUHszvH13rS0W-3RDNLCFP1-Bz-xE3SlKvIGrRzB5jUKgt_7Tm1tFwy0g/s2016/291947211_577029677293558_3259413587633849112_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3wh83JwXTJ000xmS0UjOfYTd0x_I08U_FNk_APwlAP0lWuTmr4S4rWzp6VfopHkdytQsNTWR0njZg0qxsTsPwmBjnX4MiY-Uyq4IQXUmr5oTye92lUYG31kAoZUHszvH13rS0W-3RDNLCFP1-Bz-xE3SlKvIGrRzB5jUKgt_7Tm1tFwy0g/w356-h640/291947211_577029677293558_3259413587633849112_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p>There is an environmental fee of PHP100.00/person (it is a private property, after all). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl84VoDsnTFKkJjvTlImyVdmiZhcGuV36rkDKROUDV9FU9k7_nqQpIW9p_f8I9iTDdJFRv-kF1Dswt8JCuMjFMF8oe8DzEjqJgTO8XJscbj9qoEeUxt3NOeCZYKeFRD7W8KujJjmVu2uRqRda-2RyLfComnikjNPB32-oT8NTXFIKj8WEJLg/s2016/291275246_384990220286480_8195966086215422105_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl84VoDsnTFKkJjvTlImyVdmiZhcGuV36rkDKROUDV9FU9k7_nqQpIW9p_f8I9iTDdJFRv-kF1Dswt8JCuMjFMF8oe8DzEjqJgTO8XJscbj9qoEeUxt3NOeCZYKeFRD7W8KujJjmVu2uRqRda-2RyLfComnikjNPB32-oT8NTXFIKj8WEJLg/w356-h640/291275246_384990220286480_8195966086215422105_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So nice this place! Cool and tranquil. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegceto6aZxMBxcrjlWpofyTzEPd_ZuYx9DP9E7KDayL_fNYKJ82xX2NSPDUioHDmhMlfJjra2yBt0wS4yrv3_GhV2hpImOgvMA4menWZ0omRohJQtgfRK1ZRE4eiD7coH9XllqXJtIci2jC9VWqqXVj60wyEzDmbSc8Tvd2SrTkSzFG8Qew/s2016/292189684_449279810052123_2870523049279531158_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegceto6aZxMBxcrjlWpofyTzEPd_ZuYx9DP9E7KDayL_fNYKJ82xX2NSPDUioHDmhMlfJjra2yBt0wS4yrv3_GhV2hpImOgvMA4menWZ0omRohJQtgfRK1ZRE4eiD7coH9XllqXJtIci2jC9VWqqXVj60wyEzDmbSc8Tvd2SrTkSzFG8Qew/w400-h225/292189684_449279810052123_2870523049279531158_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm0uQskAcc_B42WOwNuTTECvn0bNPhtRpw3NiNjV7PpiGU4Edt5Ll-tnisnJLIQwAeZqopMHoVx0mi8FtsbYN-XfpvEtXGTNKgEYGPKjxhaKQBF8NTZhYjYHOjOP94ZZ2Hv_p5TT5hbZvTbnYtKkZV7kRQIcezjXbvznVKMJEuINVe-tWBw/s2016/290896099_1154262545151399_2129069733162133543_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm0uQskAcc_B42WOwNuTTECvn0bNPhtRpw3NiNjV7PpiGU4Edt5Ll-tnisnJLIQwAeZqopMHoVx0mi8FtsbYN-XfpvEtXGTNKgEYGPKjxhaKQBF8NTZhYjYHOjOP94ZZ2Hv_p5TT5hbZvTbnYtKkZV7kRQIcezjXbvznVKMJEuINVe-tWBw/w356-h640/290896099_1154262545151399_2129069733162133543_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below is a campsite area, wherein one can actually stay overnight. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJVW1jD9jqBEAPjQeLzLGH6N9QIJohbW4C6BVCnghpbPgpnoOUNPCjB_U_5H7LV-G7iAi6u_VF1fNZ9ZJuP2WLaYZMEdU070HRP4DB_o7ivg7qS06hT89jOBLg_wTlbvyDfU1BVIlVn19671D_jbKxixt1Hzo7lLZpyRPh91MeHc2T_wPbQ/s2016/291758187_374718921437473_8364308386170539197_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJVW1jD9jqBEAPjQeLzLGH6N9QIJohbW4C6BVCnghpbPgpnoOUNPCjB_U_5H7LV-G7iAi6u_VF1fNZ9ZJuP2WLaYZMEdU070HRP4DB_o7ivg7qS06hT89jOBLg_wTlbvyDfU1BVIlVn19671D_jbKxixt1Hzo7lLZpyRPh91MeHc2T_wPbQ/w356-h640/291758187_374718921437473_8364308386170539197_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's another look at it, from the opposite direction:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBxQuhsvgIPKGIFlA6mTJmtCoJ56GPzLxUG4R3XqGMdAUzf3CxkkzhFHx1E3Axp1z8DeI6elxXfSXLyMX1JDu7bX3-8iHmzs0Obbj1afGNkNYylV6feoscg1QaZV2MQXbf1ljJG2a9nQSpnUM4P70E1vyRAQE_lTzsB7EXCWgyOC5MOgX-g/s2016/291315910_729413618287485_1296826617733855032_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBxQuhsvgIPKGIFlA6mTJmtCoJ56GPzLxUG4R3XqGMdAUzf3CxkkzhFHx1E3Axp1z8DeI6elxXfSXLyMX1JDu7bX3-8iHmzs0Obbj1afGNkNYylV6feoscg1QaZV2MQXbf1ljJG2a9nQSpnUM4P70E1vyRAQE_lTzsB7EXCWgyOC5MOgX-g/w356-h640/291315910_729413618287485_1296826617733855032_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3spvfQtKB7xB1Y5iaiDmy2Cxd7y0sMgSxfGcq0rzYLUBp818UEURPTd__ba30j5N239pmfegv_-abKR7tPPUPgyCg6LNLDnDU-0PO4NJV_PT9oNUFnZjy3DEsqkEXTRziSMsgUeu1MQI5wFO64I65Kz15Up9SBOCnzrXj9cgTaipJrcbjlg/s2016/290882094_1163112337578905_7179963570724310394_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3spvfQtKB7xB1Y5iaiDmy2Cxd7y0sMgSxfGcq0rzYLUBp818UEURPTd__ba30j5N239pmfegv_-abKR7tPPUPgyCg6LNLDnDU-0PO4NJV_PT9oNUFnZjy3DEsqkEXTRziSMsgUeu1MQI5wFO64I65Kz15Up9SBOCnzrXj9cgTaipJrcbjlg/w356-h640/290882094_1163112337578905_7179963570724310394_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p> In the next post of this series, we'll check out where these steps (note the ingenious of used rubber tires) lead to [hint: a coffee shop and some awesome views].<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrZzaF0bt0MuLYBiSPOR33bPFefHJOBA_Y0xByftgjDTh_epETQfOv20pN6dheNf9QSSJ3TKuQCdThh9Pl_5gauJTPioB5TGJJaxtvUIwCNOx_nk4RkAYUYY9tyv9IEWw73pXIxyFZZ1oAXoJIeGbnC8cU0u_eYeu-I5a7pEjUcUclkqohw/s1728/291687575_758813425566701_8597752979859367383_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrZzaF0bt0MuLYBiSPOR33bPFefHJOBA_Y0xByftgjDTh_epETQfOv20pN6dheNf9QSSJ3TKuQCdThh9Pl_5gauJTPioB5TGJJaxtvUIwCNOx_nk4RkAYUYY9tyv9IEWw73pXIxyFZZ1oAXoJIeGbnC8cU0u_eYeu-I5a7pEjUcUclkqohw/w356-h640/291687575_758813425566701_8597752979859367383_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>If you're interested in going, please check their Facebook Page 'Mt. Kalugong Cultural Village' for updates. </p><p>Practical tips: Bring water, and make sure to wear proper footwear (hiking shoes like Merrell). <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p>Bonus: Check out the Youtube video of local guy The Torogi Wanderer, whom i reached out to prior to going; and he was very helpful with tips. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U4jS-XI5n9k" width="320" youtube-src-id="U4jS-XI5n9k"></iframe></div><br /><br /><p> <br /></p>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-80377829099221974002022-07-04T05:54:00.001-07:002022-07-04T05:54:02.242-07:00CITY OF PINES 2022: HATCH COFFEE<p>This self-billed <i>'not-so-secret coffeeshop in Baguio'</i> is indeed on the radar of many local food bloggers i follow, hence my interest was piqued. </p><p>On my last day before heading back to the metro (boo!), S. and i had lunch at Hatch, which is located inside a quiet subdivision, yet quite accessible from the hustle and bustle of the city. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY-uLdPatLoYvDCS6wQcm6BlhsWpvX0JGHWIxWlgwdyUnT1TtAXM0z5BF0jVJtYvJ3-B6e0thNQETcBZwoNI25ZCiez0Evo2d9dfULAz12A4OWrokdTv3wobB3gIekRfA_RPUVIcV_7GUMI4yQR0g7ynysqMt82Csd2C7GjiaM6gjDkuAaA/s2016/290001582_1010611286266223_1333482136853132110_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY-uLdPatLoYvDCS6wQcm6BlhsWpvX0JGHWIxWlgwdyUnT1TtAXM0z5BF0jVJtYvJ3-B6e0thNQETcBZwoNI25ZCiez0Evo2d9dfULAz12A4OWrokdTv3wobB3gIekRfA_RPUVIcV_7GUMI4yQR0g7ynysqMt82Csd2C7GjiaM6gjDkuAaA/w356-h640/290001582_1010611286266223_1333482136853132110_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The place, with its airy lawn and plants, was quite relaxing; and S. mentioned that yoga classes were, in fact, being held here during mornings. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySO7s45u3vwKXgqkVDDw1va4f9fwrwR3YnF2UoD2FcQtoI3no-Bhbm53me3mNafJqUDS-cT8VHVHxlmozXVX_V_wwAr8m9EFoSrDSfx4NNUjpvufo_9cvlKJRfeUhlF42-SekhpZdcFFO2oxvOpa7ppcE5_u3THk7UwM240fwK2FKFF1BNA/s2016/290790058_5136467443142375_5674526876622574732_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySO7s45u3vwKXgqkVDDw1va4f9fwrwR3YnF2UoD2FcQtoI3no-Bhbm53me3mNafJqUDS-cT8VHVHxlmozXVX_V_wwAr8m9EFoSrDSfx4NNUjpvufo_9cvlKJRfeUhlF42-SekhpZdcFFO2oxvOpa7ppcE5_u3THk7UwM240fwK2FKFF1BNA/w400-h225/290790058_5136467443142375_5674526876622574732_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldM6F-tt7g_M06ETB2i3HAMfGJ40CFJdL0zG0hQ-kqm3IeoALyQAa7pObE3lUFFc_VWyCdBelZWDKYybypS0tPCJEjXwfXoVFN9DEHODhsG2-MhFV00Mab0rZgFmaJXhjyHn_raofS3IUspDHkOx2Sj7ck3no6aOPaEI-qAqNauf0MAH2OQ/s2016/290664618_1368698116961796_896670461749810066_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldM6F-tt7g_M06ETB2i3HAMfGJ40CFJdL0zG0hQ-kqm3IeoALyQAa7pObE3lUFFc_VWyCdBelZWDKYybypS0tPCJEjXwfXoVFN9DEHODhsG2-MhFV00Mab0rZgFmaJXhjyHn_raofS3IUspDHkOx2Sj7ck3no6aOPaEI-qAqNauf0MAH2OQ/w356-h640/290664618_1368698116961796_896670461749810066_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>The menu was not very extensive: S. quipped that most of it were food that one can do oneself at home, which amused me greatly ;-D <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihljA2BVHw9OnlKUagcBVJ-_cjpYF0vFfBPwriMYt7ANoZzhK7Dywc1-GYGbIwohhHygGFZdB09EekDr3wORLNE_huq15DdUYsPQxQV6QDyst46dt8ZzIK4uN3Qm7W7RNBlPQa9V-sJ0osIJzC6Xv578GeMeHItwbINnhgaCAwx4v9VW_hCA/s2016/291501338_356414919897547_5198754777393753906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihljA2BVHw9OnlKUagcBVJ-_cjpYF0vFfBPwriMYt7ANoZzhK7Dywc1-GYGbIwohhHygGFZdB09EekDr3wORLNE_huq15DdUYsPQxQV6QDyst46dt8ZzIK4uN3Qm7W7RNBlPQa9V-sJ0osIJzC6Xv578GeMeHItwbINnhgaCAwx4v9VW_hCA/w400-h225/291501338_356414919897547_5198754777393753906_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> S. ordered the Hatch burger (basically a typical cheeseburger), while i was dead set on the ube grilled cheese sandwich (blame Instagram and the fact that i'm a huge ube jam fan hehe). Here it was: <br /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1e6FGNSDG6wH8xymTw0nHGU3M64sxPF1lr5YRIm_ZraUuVlWjsXYDUYvoaC4bmrEep3xiw2aAqmA_QMokZdC65MZDgNk6n0AQoj6WbnmbJWCXyogKjbafJowv09xA4rAZAykGV94ecHns6Q9AawkP-AXrGDcI6S60P29AlX9tcQEd4DoAA/s2016/290623526_1093534484912841_3517890647058101088_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1e6FGNSDG6wH8xymTw0nHGU3M64sxPF1lr5YRIm_ZraUuVlWjsXYDUYvoaC4bmrEep3xiw2aAqmA_QMokZdC65MZDgNk6n0AQoj6WbnmbJWCXyogKjbafJowv09xA4rAZAykGV94ecHns6Q9AawkP-AXrGDcI6S60P29AlX9tcQEd4DoAA/w400-h225/290623526_1093534484912841_3517890647058101088_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaiV0b_6AlrjTceEueNYncc82jbWf25wM8OoULLtctdBgZBWChLWi_XK3nbT07RWuZwoYgNGB0TcKFFbMjT2RLu5L5D9_71XjgsCUhtMOlVfQiSNmJQa9Bvga0Kw4avQ1Qx5Wzl3hy56woE75fy1lKJSV2Umhjq1J-KQGeNchec1mE12e4A/s2016/290572882_602643141279878_606335713543891409_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaiV0b_6AlrjTceEueNYncc82jbWf25wM8OoULLtctdBgZBWChLWi_XK3nbT07RWuZwoYgNGB0TcKFFbMjT2RLu5L5D9_71XjgsCUhtMOlVfQiSNmJQa9Bvga0Kw4avQ1Qx5Wzl3hy56woE75fy1lKJSV2Umhjq1J-KQGeNchec1mE12e4A/w400-h225/290572882_602643141279878_606335713543891409_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It proved to be as yummy as it looked!! Yesss!! Perfect for a light lunch or rather filling mid-afternoon snack. S. shared a portion of her burger, and it was moist and tasty. Recommended as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For drinks, S. had the latte horchata milk (below left) while i chose the intriguing Orange Coffee (right). Hmmm, i'm still ambivalent about it -- it was refreshing, but the taste was rather odd. <br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIotYNLabcCiNTb66cEZcKDwMW6l7OYAsolnTNK8Pz8MRBX7wuWxLeL9_a94_42hV1qe1N11h8F0EPn2oC-wq1xHo2Jcq8WPqAuTVMKR1tXKBw1V6Cs7Fa0v1sR2SteKSDeSGtrK589ltUgzLotbLmdu-9lQt_BOIVg7F946S7BMSzjpUNQ/s2016/290825566_346553470980250_6889123627005840662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIotYNLabcCiNTb66cEZcKDwMW6l7OYAsolnTNK8Pz8MRBX7wuWxLeL9_a94_42hV1qe1N11h8F0EPn2oC-wq1xHo2Jcq8WPqAuTVMKR1tXKBw1V6Cs7Fa0v1sR2SteKSDeSGtrK589ltUgzLotbLmdu-9lQt_BOIVg7F946S7BMSzjpUNQ/w356-h640/290825566_346553470980250_6889123627005840662_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaR-i8GaMG8sWXc4FCidsKM8ZXlmc87h7DuE-6aPovkV2gVza5AuzWPVe3G-1GSEM7YxWloxUG-T0F3nQC4jig5TzUHvq4m8NguC8riqVZdsvFZKX8t8s2nm4rL9_knsLM1dEEPEGwwIz03vm3Z1QhTog6qTZ92sqOLJtNsQD0Asu6d3Ifw/s2016/290817703_746493053215209_4780173496266450365_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaR-i8GaMG8sWXc4FCidsKM8ZXlmc87h7DuE-6aPovkV2gVza5AuzWPVe3G-1GSEM7YxWloxUG-T0F3nQC4jig5TzUHvq4m8NguC8riqVZdsvFZKX8t8s2nm4rL9_knsLM1dEEPEGwwIz03vm3Z1QhTog6qTZ92sqOLJtNsQD0Asu6d3Ifw/w356-h640/290817703_746493053215209_4780173496266450365_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p>Overall, Hatch Coffee proved to be a nice hangout place with good food and a relaxed atmosphere. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H_PDEzQeBv4hUk9K1gJrHQVcKSWPINwVi5kS7cfV-H1eOD4q4M6afmUvwXYhPjgQfoUCPqYNhd5IBiUv2kuQ4F8Shp1BK3bj9Xfi0u57h3z3SS1L514mjw9Mu8CoxYUYm88fDNdaSACFLTmDEwOnVlK0QNrR19oqu1LZrQrQSftN5gcGhA/s2048/290763757_408381881219252_39198901982041296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H_PDEzQeBv4hUk9K1gJrHQVcKSWPINwVi5kS7cfV-H1eOD4q4M6afmUvwXYhPjgQfoUCPqYNhd5IBiUv2kuQ4F8Shp1BK3bj9Xfi0u57h3z3SS1L514mjw9Mu8CoxYUYm88fDNdaSACFLTmDEwOnVlK0QNrR19oqu1LZrQrQSftN5gcGhA/w400-h300/290763757_408381881219252_39198901982041296_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />(Hatch Coffee is located at 135 Easter Road corner Road 1, Manzanillo, Baguio City. Check their Facebook page and Instagram account hatchcoffeeph for updates on menu, schedule, etc.)<br /><br /><p></p>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-23962565321638791542022-07-03T07:53:00.003-07:002022-07-03T07:55:03.284-07:00CITY OF PINES 2022: 113 Wagner Cafe<p>Hello, hello! Finally, after more than 2 years, yours truly left the confines of the metro and ventured forth to one of my fave destinations, Baguio City (I've been here probably at least 10 times, in total). </p><p>First order of business was to have dinner with good friend S., merely one of the richest persons in this neck of the woods. Upon her suggestion, we agreed on the fairly new 113 Wagner Cafe (so named because it was located on...well, 113 Wagner St. Hehe!). </p><p>Things did not start out promisingly. Waze guided us to this dark, quiet unpaved street, which looked rather dodgy. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Wlz3-9OO59XbM2j9-fsOROnn-SDQyQ_55gH0KBTSwKi8-u13iHiAgPn1baJhKIByKHWd2aAGXwOA2_KRdGsbOQB2ciDixxL4u7ZCgdz1eNjysU_rrssaf0XzqCaGhv3GRRigvF_nFT4acRtGrTt4lPfkFPIO0YNBloIdHGHcSbDjBE6GA/s2016/290601896_431546751978131_2210143681046442965_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Wlz3-9OO59XbM2j9-fsOROnn-SDQyQ_55gH0KBTSwKi8-u13iHiAgPn1baJhKIByKHWd2aAGXwOA2_KRdGsbOQB2ciDixxL4u7ZCgdz1eNjysU_rrssaf0XzqCaGhv3GRRigvF_nFT4acRtGrTt4lPfkFPIO0YNBloIdHGHcSbDjBE6GA/w400-h225/290601896_431546751978131_2210143681046442965_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Fortunately, it seemed we were on the right track, due to the sign. True enough, a short walk led to this gate. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwPmUIbXaAffPz8irnxZ2uFT_bYoQ9p03zg2kDQHUXO26B-c4klt2W12dqJDNqa1Q7JreHdEYwYaM36KmmL6fjl_syRRwUloMTw-gZtg-sHxiI7autBLKMhz10_q585WsINuUiiJXIeU8J3hOnqC9t-z90JzmhEgI1iGqBxoi4y8jSkn-FA/s2016/290674342_1067477850870476_5528444550504794830_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwPmUIbXaAffPz8irnxZ2uFT_bYoQ9p03zg2kDQHUXO26B-c4klt2W12dqJDNqa1Q7JreHdEYwYaM36KmmL6fjl_syRRwUloMTw-gZtg-sHxiI7autBLKMhz10_q585WsINuUiiJXIeU8J3hOnqC9t-z90JzmhEgI1iGqBxoi4y8jSkn-FA/w356-h640/290674342_1067477850870476_5528444550504794830_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p> And when one enters, suddenly it's a whole different world! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlzFPiaCttlTklN1CSYMDD8t98mMd-E9OtHACY_lKsLsuPZ7BNc9MTWY1gShsNKVAIhnI1X3Zh2LJ1YhK3HYbUoTWlYAVVS2-o7J_r4iNCu8egezS00i_rdnHYfyffx7G_T4IZLlTBOtAGpSwu4a51i608LfEzj0q533zcMjUa_SoRyT7VQ/s2016/290611929_773242450521681_4164621149610420927_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlzFPiaCttlTklN1CSYMDD8t98mMd-E9OtHACY_lKsLsuPZ7BNc9MTWY1gShsNKVAIhnI1X3Zh2LJ1YhK3HYbUoTWlYAVVS2-o7J_r4iNCu8egezS00i_rdnHYfyffx7G_T4IZLlTBOtAGpSwu4a51i608LfEzj0q533zcMjUa_SoRyT7VQ/w356-h640/290611929_773242450521681_4164621149610420927_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmgRAr8L2NMFfH3oCOcfWm07U8Q1dF0fpyitVwsT7SC2OQ12Ow9Ojt86TtPoUx6Ded-FvcC0yUwkCByg1G0Id6edqsGNqWbkSMf_TeLZBq7O3HAaWTMoHGdY31I25zGDMO_1OKoqBhRpy9NP8VBlDx4fd9UjoToYPakQKGuQpZkvq-9KTQA/s2016/290640181_1232076487626219_985246298622437899_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmgRAr8L2NMFfH3oCOcfWm07U8Q1dF0fpyitVwsT7SC2OQ12Ow9Ojt86TtPoUx6Ded-FvcC0yUwkCByg1G0Id6edqsGNqWbkSMf_TeLZBq7O3HAaWTMoHGdY31I25zGDMO_1OKoqBhRpy9NP8VBlDx4fd9UjoToYPakQKGuQpZkvq-9KTQA/w356-h640/290640181_1232076487626219_985246298622437899_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p>Being a Friday night, the place was full. Apparently, this place was the private residence of the resto owner as well. <br /></p><p>On to the food: S. had reserved and chosen the Farm Fresh Food menu, knowing my huge appetite hahaha!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeqZWLkkHOuFxBsIA1uFnvIpkq5XoqJNSd-yMLANFkY71OJPfoWwB2l7stis0W5ejNljcnyaBZl3h1laMHChMKmxxk9u0blQpvcK0TPGmhpX60jo3SatyF942oU1M97W0BZTiOMWPGCurWOKue723fuIxehDL6ZVwh-qLb-1VtN593YC4dw/s904/290849390_5476186982432682_4437473227691446590_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeqZWLkkHOuFxBsIA1uFnvIpkq5XoqJNSd-yMLANFkY71OJPfoWwB2l7stis0W5ejNljcnyaBZl3h1laMHChMKmxxk9u0blQpvcK0TPGmhpX60jo3SatyF942oU1M97W0BZTiOMWPGCurWOKue723fuIxehDL6ZVwh-qLb-1VtN593YC4dw/w454-h640/290849390_5476186982432682_4437473227691446590_n.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><p>The roasted tomato cream soup was a winner. Great texture, with a strong spicy kick. Perfect for a chilly night. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzseJvXlV-xXvtBV61E0j9xZ0k8pehngH7rnZMUlHyX0VHkvNoLId0mruPbIz6R_26kUbFSUbR_AMGMA_-oJZ0FX4hFD1Dr0JRvX_WnI3G5NvUjyECp5eRD54Z0g5ijd20HLp5NUt-9kL8KFytr-eytNDNYjF3NUkVupeKtpSTdjGu8iV5w/s2048/290349736_723618725592077_7971036979679688936_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzseJvXlV-xXvtBV61E0j9xZ0k8pehngH7rnZMUlHyX0VHkvNoLId0mruPbIz6R_26kUbFSUbR_AMGMA_-oJZ0FX4hFD1Dr0JRvX_WnI3G5NvUjyECp5eRD54Z0g5ijd20HLp5NUt-9kL8KFytr-eytNDNYjF3NUkVupeKtpSTdjGu8iV5w/w400-h300/290349736_723618725592077_7971036979679688936_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKU0Bo8Irm6b3j86_077BTkCHTPxk9yMiLke14APewpu1gkrx0-BsfsXFQiKwizyxncGhIigX0cYKu1LSjBHKjlIo9Kukj1cHNdD7FD5SEZrhB0BshjO_mOpvYTi1pjiAQeBq0fYAc16IkGZWhWjtvsvOqb_d4EsRyArZk2cmPczQiE4ZMg/s2048/290857569_719438262501524_3091455878842661983_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKU0Bo8Irm6b3j86_077BTkCHTPxk9yMiLke14APewpu1gkrx0-BsfsXFQiKwizyxncGhIigX0cYKu1LSjBHKjlIo9Kukj1cHNdD7FD5SEZrhB0BshjO_mOpvYTi1pjiAQeBq0fYAc16IkGZWhWjtvsvOqb_d4EsRyArZk2cmPczQiE4ZMg/w400-h300/290857569_719438262501524_3091455878842661983_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> The linguini pasta was cooked very well, and didn't scrimp on the ingredients. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZgVZhgGOeUzsV_X8IPS_jgHxlvbRr4kAlJflZBlt0j1cKN0ALZDZz5cfrwoZRcF-m3l2S-yIJsdzHEMUfpt4GcOUa4WLuHCEpHg2ni2KVxdFo4-5OavXti4DuwcCT4X0iPtRIB6U8irQAU003qOOszMubIg6UzlFRTvxsNvq5T4isjvMQQ/s2048/290531822_782335296256377_2321773615665592644_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZgVZhgGOeUzsV_X8IPS_jgHxlvbRr4kAlJflZBlt0j1cKN0ALZDZz5cfrwoZRcF-m3l2S-yIJsdzHEMUfpt4GcOUa4WLuHCEpHg2ni2KVxdFo4-5OavXti4DuwcCT4X0iPtRIB6U8irQAU003qOOszMubIg6UzlFRTvxsNvq5T4isjvMQQ/w400-h300/290531822_782335296256377_2321773615665592644_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The main course, Certified Angus beef striploin steak, could have been a teeny bit more done, in my opinion. Nonetheless, it was delicious and we (party of 3 adults and 1 small child) very nearly finished it -- syempre nagkahiyaan and left one last piece on the plate hahahaha style bulok amp. :-D <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pDRl2ftu2jRlfsANF-7nC5VEIDspLQLJ_-LQ5niCHgd2FvE9SVIe11H7ABthLL6HSSDiZKkiHlHiYNugd6-k3-uT_Los3gYp-levL4jHGBEt-i1Moz4EuQc3nuTABgWbKrfqwBh54QDqd9yx0hbAus4RRcdY4xMTcgPTa0Q8DGpVeZ2DwQ/s2048/290437749_744249950054789_8557391007278010828_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pDRl2ftu2jRlfsANF-7nC5VEIDspLQLJ_-LQ5niCHgd2FvE9SVIe11H7ABthLL6HSSDiZKkiHlHiYNugd6-k3-uT_Los3gYp-levL4jHGBEt-i1Moz4EuQc3nuTABgWbKrfqwBh54QDqd9yx0hbAus4RRcdY4xMTcgPTa0Q8DGpVeZ2DwQ/w400-h300/290437749_744249950054789_8557391007278010828_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> There was a surprise midway through our dinner. The staff starting singing the birthday song, and brought out a slice of chocolate cake. Then i realized that it was <i>MY </i>birthday that was being celebrated! Wrong month! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU3nsLUXVy31S63xeL5AGZwZZI5UdzjU1zBbrPEPaf4oQi4Oq7Jijz8to9gQrOmsSh8ody0Yb5cFiuycv-hYWF4CCMgNdogXhQ1-Pd-ZEA_F9prjm4jWWg4V9wSp6KhzGdtp-TbKV2NaXiZyjqKq4yFzvCA81ll4YakhTXWBzddBs6eUTyg/s2016/290453089_573790917568009_723900705898832546_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU3nsLUXVy31S63xeL5AGZwZZI5UdzjU1zBbrPEPaf4oQi4Oq7Jijz8to9gQrOmsSh8ody0Yb5cFiuycv-hYWF4CCMgNdogXhQ1-Pd-ZEA_F9prjm4jWWg4V9wSp6KhzGdtp-TbKV2NaXiZyjqKq4yFzvCA81ll4YakhTXWBzddBs6eUTyg/w356-h640/290453089_573790917568009_723900705898832546_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the chocolate cake was flat out superb! It reminded me of the Red Ribbon chocolate cake back in the 1990s, which was so flavourful and moist; before Jollibee acquired Red Ribbon and the chocolate cake became dry and virtually unedible. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jdvCYnsp5VXaH9zsPfdgCGv1KnsjRQaw4ZIK9MLkdeBJtbnHGGYegcnvxXr6vl2X5zlpohpAqj5ssjhEFaLmBr0pAJFnlTH_J-kjnzvQ_-kIw00XV89GYygVdoDrmQ8lKxF2J49B5dQxDy1yiArB0U7BKMDggcBitueZBwSeL6WS79nKJw/s2016/290327187_5499590423440890_4772211818750317609_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jdvCYnsp5VXaH9zsPfdgCGv1KnsjRQaw4ZIK9MLkdeBJtbnHGGYegcnvxXr6vl2X5zlpohpAqj5ssjhEFaLmBr0pAJFnlTH_J-kjnzvQ_-kIw00XV89GYygVdoDrmQ8lKxF2J49B5dQxDy1yiArB0U7BKMDggcBitueZBwSeL6WS79nKJw/w400-h225/290327187_5499590423440890_4772211818750317609_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lastly, the panna cotta came out, and i finished my portion quickly. Can't go wrong with PC! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-lq03GNZS7_PNsY_gcRQODD08zLRMqVDcMNx6KvDnbnsMFgwLP5rTo-i27P_lf5By81bd2nGZCBBzqsYXqJZCjf_F_7HVH6DqJt_yayVNYwPFDuVBuLyDlCb-pslVIdAXnYwWFxACY49DVuVFhf9DKzlu4n4sehVuubAyc_owb1XOAazBQ/s2016/291501342_787738912400763_3772349933962199436_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-lq03GNZS7_PNsY_gcRQODD08zLRMqVDcMNx6KvDnbnsMFgwLP5rTo-i27P_lf5By81bd2nGZCBBzqsYXqJZCjf_F_7HVH6DqJt_yayVNYwPFDuVBuLyDlCb-pslVIdAXnYwWFxACY49DVuVFhf9DKzlu4n4sehVuubAyc_owb1XOAazBQ/w356-h640/291501342_787738912400763_3772349933962199436_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>I'll leave more pics of this lovely cafe, definitely recommended to visit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsdqqHWPY3cU_viuyxIgM9q2qey8PWSLIMjqHCwUkHGqK8_Rfvf0i1l7gIUAYa-RujqXk9o1JEU_GJmAzUcrY1zRw2oOtqenGrlE56yzyQrEXYCsEvsDYWFZH0UdZfNQ7BW1ceuhbD5eN-d_iemb5N-4Vo12wKfIG96tr4YcwKWdlfdilog/s2016/290379971_1072356533705685_7134610675220753850_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsdqqHWPY3cU_viuyxIgM9q2qey8PWSLIMjqHCwUkHGqK8_Rfvf0i1l7gIUAYa-RujqXk9o1JEU_GJmAzUcrY1zRw2oOtqenGrlE56yzyQrEXYCsEvsDYWFZH0UdZfNQ7BW1ceuhbD5eN-d_iemb5N-4Vo12wKfIG96tr4YcwKWdlfdilog/w356-h640/290379971_1072356533705685_7134610675220753850_n.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-TJSpAxnL0XitgSKwcvJi8Oqc4G4eKtQ7N3AeDoZdA4S7MbHgM0Dm7NPJgJwtji5BRnb43xKAtDH4feU-pfnXKKIyQj5fUz2e-k1GABTBjnHh7QVYNSwwiTezB7_1eQCaBd77FYKpLIgKUXEpQHkBUOT2Id20lUZgey5jIyMbT4Lv3zG6A/s2016/290946047_1686211165079942_7220094092044587171_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-TJSpAxnL0XitgSKwcvJi8Oqc4G4eKtQ7N3AeDoZdA4S7MbHgM0Dm7NPJgJwtji5BRnb43xKAtDH4feU-pfnXKKIyQj5fUz2e-k1GABTBjnHh7QVYNSwwiTezB7_1eQCaBd77FYKpLIgKUXEpQHkBUOT2Id20lUZgey5jIyMbT4Lv3zG6A/w356-h640/290946047_1686211165079942_7220094092044587171_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfeW6jF7l8LXWsO3syDjOngYRvDPuwWi0rmln5F5IJsF4vpczaWjCKsqKMnJXti0RFry-HGHSBAUA0ixyT7LyDmNpHfNpLwz4mZk04ESoIe-0q1rNWF2w4cHd4M6jAgRqfUuKL9CJylVps5DX3Gg2xS-IjqPVh7wtw2SV7hpa10zgVlT27A/s2016/290795921_5136475589798784_6043308093767624024_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfeW6jF7l8LXWsO3syDjOngYRvDPuwWi0rmln5F5IJsF4vpczaWjCKsqKMnJXti0RFry-HGHSBAUA0ixyT7LyDmNpHfNpLwz4mZk04ESoIe-0q1rNWF2w4cHd4M6jAgRqfUuKL9CJylVps5DX3Gg2xS-IjqPVh7wtw2SV7hpa10zgVlT27A/w356-h640/290795921_5136475589798784_6043308093767624024_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaAc9I6nmqMxMRYqHwNmtTygi6q_bxoVa6MPrr2PibjSgiBlATHhpVMO82JUQ2e9Zjwq5Dxr1GbFOyfvU0zjv4WQm9oqSHQkYrx_jj32Yo2JHAtVh6FbllpWVK6_j9Pq7gdFihDsUr6MAcs_Ann7_M06ZSlUmzTKavdCFmeZVwZuGumE9cA/s2016/290592171_1170061666884789_7386137801597866676_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaAc9I6nmqMxMRYqHwNmtTygi6q_bxoVa6MPrr2PibjSgiBlATHhpVMO82JUQ2e9Zjwq5Dxr1GbFOyfvU0zjv4WQm9oqSHQkYrx_jj32Yo2JHAtVh6FbllpWVK6_j9Pq7gdFihDsUr6MAcs_Ann7_M06ZSlUmzTKavdCFmeZVwZuGumE9cA/w356-h640/290592171_1170061666884789_7386137801597866676_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p><br />113 Wagner Cafe is strictly by reservation only. Check their Facebook and Instagram accounts for updated information on menus, schedules, etc. </p><p>(Thanks to S. for the food pics!) <br /></p><p></p><p> </p>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-5297000402452214862019-09-07T01:16:00.001-07:002019-09-07T01:20:07.562-07:00TAIPEI: Chinese knife massage experience<br />
While browsing online on possible things to do for our recent trip to Taipei, one thing piqued my interest greatly: The ancient practice of <i>dao liao</i>, or known in English as butcher knife massage. <br />
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For my fellow uninitiated folks, here's a video by Insider which gives a brief backgrounder on this practice: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUA1zy2zxP4" target="_blank">Knife Massage Dao Liao</a><br />
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Interesting, huh? I shared this with my friends; and guess what, absolutely NO ONE else wanted to go! (LOL) So, it was that on a humid afternoon, I would myself taking the Metro to underground Taipei City Mall, where the Taipei Ancient Art of Knife Therapy Education Centre was located. <br />
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Getting there was easy peasy. Simply get off at Taipei Main Station and follow the signs to Taipei City Mall (see that big ''Y"?). First, look for the Civic Blvd Exit: <br />
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Keep walking when you see it ("M2/M1").<br />
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Then eventually, you will see it! The "Y", diba? :D <br />
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The knife massage centre is located near Exit Y13 of Taipei City Mall, so just keep walking as it is arranged in sections by number. Contrary to what i have read online, the mall itself was clean, brightly lit and air-conditioned. Of course, it is not posh by any means. Sort of like a decent, above-average bargain center for clothes, souvenirs and the like. <br />
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Ah, here it is. Please note there is no English signage. Some sites say it is 'near' or 'beside' a blind massage place, which is true. (Funny anecdote: One of my friends misheard me, and thought that it was going to be a blind person doing the butcher knife massage! No wonder he blanched at the idea and fled. Haha!) <br />
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Price list in Chinese. I think they do have an English one for Western tourists. I took the 45 minute massage for NT880.<br />
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Here's a photo of the massage beds where one lies down (in full view of onlookers and shoppers, so prepare to be gawked at, and possibly be the unwitting star in someone's video). They do wrap you in blankets for privacy, and to protect against the knives. <br />
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Regarding the massage itself, there are a lot of extravagant claims being made (i guess this applies to all "ancient" practices) -- i.e. it helps fat loss, enhances metabolism, etc. etc. One should really take this with a spoonful of Sodium Chloride and just lie back and relax and let the butcher.....errrr, rather, the massage master do their stuff.<br />
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The knives are dull, so there is no possibility to be chopped and sliced like a pork chop (or Wagyu A5, if you think highly of yourself :D). For me, it was very relaxing (in fact, I almost fell asleep). The part when they do it on the soles of your feet was rather ticklish.<br />
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So how did i feel after? Good, actually. I felt temporary relief from some muscle pains. But no, it did not make me feel i could leap tall buildings in a single bound. :D <br />
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Is it safe? Yes! Is it worth a try? Yes! Was it worth the money? Yes!<br />
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Here's a superb article by <a href="http://taipeiexpat.com/knife-massage/" target="_blank">Taipei Expat</a> as well, for people who want to know more (and hopefully try) this unique massage. </div>
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<table class="tablepress tablepress-id-108" id="tablepress-108"><tbody>
<tr class="row-1"><td class="column-1"><a href="http://www.taipeimall.com.tw/zh-TW"><b><u>Taipei City Mall Exit Y13</u></b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-2">
<td class="column-1"><b>Chinese Name:</b> 台北地下街出口Y13</td>
</tr>
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<td class="column-1"><b>Hours:</b> Taipei City Mall: 9:30am – 10pm<br />
Massage Shops: 11am - 9pm</td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-4">
<td class="column-1"><b>Phone:</b> 02 2559 4566</td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-5">
<td class="column-1"><b>English Address:</b> Taipei City Mall Exit Y13, Zhengzhou Road, Datong District, Taipei City, 103</td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-6">
<td class="column-1"><b>Chinese Address:</b> 103台北市大同區鄭州路20號 (台北地下街出口Y13)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-45093124924409425542019-07-22T07:42:00.001-07:002019-07-22T07:42:35.388-07:00FROM CEBU TO GREECE WITH LOVE <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was in the Queen City of the South recently for work, and of course, goofing off was definitely on the list of things to do. I had heard about this place, the Temple of Leah, which was said to be the Philippines' version of the Taj Mahal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Curiousity killed the cat....errr rather, got the better of me. So i decided to check it out. The temple was located more or less 30 to 45 minutes away from Cebu City proper; and whilst there is a way to commute going there (from Ayala Center), i took the path of least resistance by hiring a car. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Off we went on the Cebu Transcentral Highway; and before you know it, you'll know that you have arrived. </span><br />
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There is a designated parking area for vehicles. And an entry fee of PHP75.00 as well.<br />
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Based on a plaque mounted inside, the temple was built in 2012 A.D. by a rich gentleman named Teodorico Adarna, Jr. <i>''as a symbol of undying love and ceaseless devotion to" </i>his late wife Leah, his wife of 53 years.<br />
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Thus, this temple was meant to preserve her vast collection of antiques, books and memorabilia, all 24 chambers of it. Further, <i>''the classic and striking architectural design of this temple took its inspiration from a world heritage sight, the Parthenon of Greece". </i><br />
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Mind blowing, huh? Let's take a look first outside. <br />
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There was a healthy bunch of local tourists milling around and taking photos. I particularly liked how it gave a birds-eye view of the city below (inconvenient environmental fact: our loverboy cut off the top of a mountain to build this edifice). Lovely place to take in, under the right weather conditions. <br />
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I had to climb a marble bench and tiptoe to get this shot, <i>kaya pusuan niyo na! </i>:D **laughing at one's own corny joke**<br />
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So, now let's go inside and check things out. There's really not so much to do, except take photos. <br />
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Below is the grand staircase with a statue of Dona Leah herself. <br />
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The main hall does look very impressive, and i can only imagine how beautiful it can be, if lit up at night.<br />
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The Temple of Leah is very much a work in progress. I walked around to
the back of the structure, and there was a cordoned-off area and some
heavy construction equipment. <br />
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One cannot enter certain areas. But i took some photos through the sealed windows (below)<br />
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As one can see, things are still a bit disorganized at this point. But there's no denying there's a vast collection waiting to be showcased for the public in the future.<br />
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Not sure who this guy was, maybe a Greek soldier from 1200 A.D. (haha) <br />
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I would be very curious to check it out again after a few years, when construction would presumably have been finished; and we can all see the temple in its full glory, as a worthy monument to everlasting love and devotion. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Temple of Leah is located along the Cebu Transcentral Highway, and is open from 6AM to 11PM daily. </span></div>
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grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-87701611826496488722019-04-12T06:44:00.000-07:002019-04-12T06:45:09.321-07:00WHEN IN SHANGHAI, DO AS THE LOCALS DO AND GO TO. . .Xīng Bā Kè<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxxiORRyXonDAX7PnG06676NfuwtOkJtYReG2rsQJbmMwAc9bq97nf0bNK2JJSDCb3ETyOhkE0FdCmfPiBkV38ktZpiwWIL4AJgIMpYR0djIcOWHcZmR3QAXPJTeMU9U0sZBm/s1600/exterior.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxxiORRyXonDAX7PnG06676NfuwtOkJtYReG2rsQJbmMwAc9bq97nf0bNK2JJSDCb3ETyOhkE0FdCmfPiBkV38ktZpiwWIL4AJgIMpYR0djIcOWHcZmR3QAXPJTeMU9U0sZBm/s400/exterior.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was in Shanghai recently on a work-related trip, which proved to be particularly hectic and stressful. So on our last day, travel partner JPL and i decided to have breakfast the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, dubbed as the <i>''largest Starbucks in the world.''</i></div>
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I'm not very sure why this was a thing we would do. Maybe for the sheer novelty, or the wonderment how Starbucks (colloquially known as<b><span class="word"><a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E6%98%9F"><i> </i>星</a><a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E5%B7%B4">巴</a><a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E5%85%8B">克</a></span></b><span class="pinyin"><b> Xīng bā kè)</b> would catch on in a traditionally tea-drinking country like China. </span>
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<i> </i></div>
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It was easy peasy getting there via Shanghai metro from our hotel. And before we knew it, we could see it already. </div>
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Opened in December 2017, it was indeed the biggest Starbucks Reserve in the world with a total area of 30,000 square feet; and was designed to be a ''coffee wonderland'' (take that, John Mayer) for guests. </div>
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Ah, the familiar mermaid logo! </div>
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First impressions definitely favour this Starbucks. Everything seems designed to arouse and delight the senses -- the rich ready-for-Instagram interiors, the heady appetizing scents of coffee and pastries, etc. One can sit at the bar and watch one's coffee order being made on the spot:</div>
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Or choose from a wide selection of yummy-looking, freshly baked pastries: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfs_pHBIY9bJ0575n6_d2Hz9MLm7SnRvSNzUlcbN69Znjbr1z4X-mpGG2dkYDsFyxUCDWFcrrYd9wcDWoSddwHhE0zW61eBfBQodRecTm5NzDWTPwKtnbB-6KwWpVVNyN935d/s1600/bar2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfs_pHBIY9bJ0575n6_d2Hz9MLm7SnRvSNzUlcbN69Znjbr1z4X-mpGG2dkYDsFyxUCDWFcrrYd9wcDWoSddwHhE0zW61eBfBQodRecTm5NzDWTPwKtnbB-6KwWpVVNyN935d/s640/bar2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We ordered and duly settled onto our table. In fairness, I must say that the food (and coffee) more than lived up to expectations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKYyChRrGo6QGqPuOasQrLyfhFH_HaIf4h5oeEW6LPO-gRNLcRZFiBAxQLZqoZarMeEtDBAT7oymh7qqklprYvSRlWN39zjxhg9DVZpE7Ycjabdw7O871lkOex0DUpu_6rNQs/s1600/coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKYyChRrGo6QGqPuOasQrLyfhFH_HaIf4h5oeEW6LPO-gRNLcRZFiBAxQLZqoZarMeEtDBAT7oymh7qqklprYvSRlWN39zjxhg9DVZpE7Ycjabdw7O871lkOex0DUpu_6rNQs/s400/coffee.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The ham and cheese croissants were sublime, and my cinnamon roll was really really really delicious! I actually wanted to buy six more, haha. :D Not quite full yet, i ordered a Danish pastry after, which proved to be very good, too. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiB_9z1V7oNtsAyAr0m8b7bb65IKy97IlRq_vpaoNjWEgn3Ur1EmWydRB3uZ5hauaQ568pO_o9wrN8j17BYBPlTuhpA0fzuwLi6-FJI0UM5trE_Ot-uPA-h30tmmdRt1gUNa3/s1600/foods.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiB_9z1V7oNtsAyAr0m8b7bb65IKy97IlRq_vpaoNjWEgn3Ur1EmWydRB3uZ5hauaQ568pO_o9wrN8j17BYBPlTuhpA0fzuwLi6-FJI0UM5trE_Ot-uPA-h30tmmdRt1gUNa3/s400/foods.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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According to the Smart Shanghai website, the visual centerpiece of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery was the ornate two-story
Copper Cask (see photo below), which weighs over four tons and measures over eight meters in
height — twice the size of the one in Seattle. It's designed to hold
freshly-roasted coffee beans, until
they reach their full flavor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixLqQcuqsGHzs1SQtxsZeixOpNv6kEOe1MHon1pAnvqHab_qtR8sGZi35Q4cSaX2XJ1ZDaeSUhruKSa6p007ypiWO1NkRI-1RBdmPXe8fUpWIZPY4ciuXzxdKWi2B34DXMbVJ/s1600/copper+cask.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixLqQcuqsGHzs1SQtxsZeixOpNv6kEOe1MHon1pAnvqHab_qtR8sGZi35Q4cSaX2XJ1ZDaeSUhruKSa6p007ypiWO1NkRI-1RBdmPXe8fUpWIZPY4ciuXzxdKWi2B34DXMbVJ/s400/copper+cask.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the view from the second floor: Perfect for lounging around, no? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTTQ4ihMdHV79Tu6voxdHVxk9MKB8BrNKXaXL7xeFpr4Whbtl97YEUiCj6D2aGqAvgd4N5uUAnRNJXeA5KBIYiBjYnulFDiufP4pdWK0k7KZVWCUej2TRziRLxkpRTWrtNpb5/s1600/2F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTTQ4ihMdHV79Tu6voxdHVxk9MKB8BrNKXaXL7xeFpr4Whbtl97YEUiCj6D2aGqAvgd4N5uUAnRNJXeA5KBIYiBjYnulFDiufP4pdWK0k7KZVWCUej2TRziRLxkpRTWrtNpb5/s400/2F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOptxxbfJymWPOKoIbY8CaAeBsXJbcPYAzuJr3AFw_ORfBx5i8U_Tso8uLwxiLhO3FMpov42X7rVvzXFbNhvMRnh1mvQYt5YZuGD64i69QPkPQGI6jJcaeHfYgdEv8mvkGV5_/s1600/teas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
They have a wide (more than wide) assortment of teas, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOptxxbfJymWPOKoIbY8CaAeBsXJbcPYAzuJr3AFw_ORfBx5i8U_Tso8uLwxiLhO3FMpov42X7rVvzXFbNhvMRnh1mvQYt5YZuGD64i69QPkPQGI6jJcaeHfYgdEv8mvkGV5_/s1600/teas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOptxxbfJymWPOKoIbY8CaAeBsXJbcPYAzuJr3AFw_ORfBx5i8U_Tso8uLwxiLhO3FMpov42X7rVvzXFbNhvMRnh1mvQYt5YZuGD64i69QPkPQGI6jJcaeHfYgdEv8mvkGV5_/s400/teas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt721XOOshRX2-s8aBKVd61Hzs2qlrXKbuIUH5ePTD9Zd3lMxR2QXb7CZsascBoWoXxP6iZHpRtx_UvYmc-Ttn3RHU0Z5t-DnJVj0RDnprbkojf792UYbRNSS6-JIx5VTIGZLy/s1600/bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt721XOOshRX2-s8aBKVd61Hzs2qlrXKbuIUH5ePTD9Zd3lMxR2QXb7CZsascBoWoXxP6iZHpRtx_UvYmc-Ttn3RHU0Z5t-DnJVj0RDnprbkojf792UYbRNSS6-JIx5VTIGZLy/s400/bar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Check out their ''Cold Brew'' towers below: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGgmjis7KjT4P-EjEoq6rgFLwg1va72wZqVedGqiMSu1i5Xq3GBdoTaiSqWMQpd0mUe1tnM-AQ0qeUyV4bPd0M-_-Y_m-n62ZdTjTauD2fp98Pky3ZVt9ftjJhCpmYvHnHV00/s1600/cold+brew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGgmjis7KjT4P-EjEoq6rgFLwg1va72wZqVedGqiMSu1i5Xq3GBdoTaiSqWMQpd0mUe1tnM-AQ0qeUyV4bPd0M-_-Y_m-n62ZdTjTauD2fp98Pky3ZVt9ftjJhCpmYvHnHV00/s400/cold+brew.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Downstairs, there was a retail area selling shirts, coffee paraphernalia, coffee beans, etc. as well. On our visit, we were surprised to see a sizable local crowd -- senior citizens, students, white-collar folks, etc. (JPL and i thought only gullible <i>gweilos</i> -- like us -- would go here! LOL :D)<br />
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There were even local tour groups (complete with guide holding a flag) roaming around and snapping photos gleefully (and not ordering any drinks. Haha). :D <br />
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JPL and i enjoyed immensely, and it was with a lighter spring in our step that we walked back to the Metro station for the return to hotel, and later on, airport.<br />
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As we crossed the street, i suddenly grasped his arm. <i>"Look!"</i> Lo and behold, we saw on the other side of the road, the one and only Shanghai outlet of the famous (and <i>mucho delicioso</i>) <a href="https://www.grom.it/en/" target="_blank">Grom</a> gelato. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoiXZy2AQPkavzclCrRSrARsGVRQv-nq1R6nKKnzXJ3m7UkHtjqIITzqCmq-4afTFNXggBXJ8oljM-ERjYDSmT-8Qb00ylglqQDUWeeruV9KZaywN3U3bednW1GLeKtsM9mZr/s1600/grom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1280" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoiXZy2AQPkavzclCrRSrARsGVRQv-nq1R6nKKnzXJ3m7UkHtjqIITzqCmq-4afTFNXggBXJ8oljM-ERjYDSmT-8Qb00ylglqQDUWeeruV9KZaywN3U3bednW1GLeKtsM9mZr/s400/grom.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Suddenly, i'm looking forward to returning to Shanghai again!<br />
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Address: </div>
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789 West Nanjing Road</div>
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Jingan District, Shanghai</div>
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Here’s the website for more info: <a href="https://roastery.starbucks.com.cn/en/">https://roastery.starbucks.com.cn/en/</a></div>
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How to get there: </div>
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Take Line 2 of the Shanghai Metro. Go down at West Nanjing
Road station. Upon exiting, turn right and walk for 60 meters. </div>
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**All photos by JPL**<br />
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grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-62335328627511060432019-02-21T06:53:00.000-08:002019-02-21T06:53:15.348-08:00Finding the Hidden Mushroom <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_LnAXS-ACo40R0HZMnbRsOM0gKhFwmkV8wVOIyVz7cxRW7v4JLjcbGvU3KHg91qSPY3-cjNMFgQngZj_u5_BPhyDdjn-sDoiypzJN2OmA_ah06NGvE2CvWloMYv-wE1hsKwk/s1600/IMG-0bef721a3a399c92b04384180112924c-V.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1018" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_LnAXS-ACo40R0HZMnbRsOM0gKhFwmkV8wVOIyVz7cxRW7v4JLjcbGvU3KHg91qSPY3-cjNMFgQngZj_u5_BPhyDdjn-sDoiypzJN2OmA_ah06NGvE2CvWloMYv-wE1hsKwk/s400/IMG-0bef721a3a399c92b04384180112924c-V.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One Saturday earlier this year saw yours truly, accompanied by the mystical Stella, driving out towards Tagaytay. We were checking out a place called The Hidden Mushroom (THM), described to me by Stella as a <i>"weekend home converted into a small vegan resto and arts place". </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq9yOYc9sAK4JTs4bu_o5fBk764ALEvSgTKUPK6ECFGE6mDM9zIAsfhM_2Ne_LmfhalWvY-VhTdsri-7o8qnmd2SgorUAwepsUr8uAfEhmQxFANd-h3ycaQRiV-Pz3q-mzxcw/s1600/IMG-b392532c38702181d5030356579b431c-V.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq9yOYc9sAK4JTs4bu_o5fBk764ALEvSgTKUPK6ECFGE6mDM9zIAsfhM_2Ne_LmfhalWvY-VhTdsri-7o8qnmd2SgorUAwepsUr8uAfEhmQxFANd-h3ycaQRiV-Pz3q-mzxcw/s400/IMG-b392532c38702181d5030356579b431c-V.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm sure you're wondering, <i>"I haven't heard of this place before!" </i>Well, you're not alone. Apparently, THM opened less than a year ago and is admittedly still a work in process, according to owners Oshan and Ria. This is the reason why they haven't been doing much marketing for it yet.<br />
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It proved to be quite a charming place, with a built-in homey warmth. Sort of like hanging out in your friend's cozy sala, which just happened
to have eclectic art scattered here and there.<br />
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Check out the photos below of the dining area. I particularly liked the vibrantly-coloured tie-dyed fabrics hanging overhead, as they really gave a relaxed, almost surfer vibe to the place. [Disclaimer: I don't surf, so this is what a non-surfer thinks what a surfer would think. <i>Keri lang :D]</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkwxzHDjkBZPAi6vd63ozy5dZLkR_0vkV-Tyv2CuQfGWTLqk3Tch-IWJVSoHsuwzdNBTyQdabZssRNf2tWiy4DiswIVXAn9bJ32XNgH-KRQtCPvf2vIez7vth-Mff-U8Y2Qx4/s1600/IMG-8831c08c93b05e937069c691cdc7fc3a-V.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkwxzHDjkBZPAi6vd63ozy5dZLkR_0vkV-Tyv2CuQfGWTLqk3Tch-IWJVSoHsuwzdNBTyQdabZssRNf2tWiy4DiswIVXAn9bJ32XNgH-KRQtCPvf2vIez7vth-Mff-U8Y2Qx4/s400/IMG-8831c08c93b05e937069c691cdc7fc3a-V.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzVH4dZyABsO496mczJXvHUCAHv-UVoIf_RRozNjuYWdPhIurb8YZRJMvvxLrdtiDHvlhxzUtBoWjHY6hwmuMbTAAl17OjGMSsQgQhdB250ks-nEc6gtsAzSm0xO2U5V9aQHn/s1600/IMG-2aa207ee9109a64fe8f43ff3294753e6-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzVH4dZyABsO496mczJXvHUCAHv-UVoIf_RRozNjuYWdPhIurb8YZRJMvvxLrdtiDHvlhxzUtBoWjHY6hwmuMbTAAl17OjGMSsQgQhdB250ks-nEc6gtsAzSm0xO2U5V9aQHn/s400/IMG-2aa207ee9109a64fe8f43ff3294753e6-V.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Take a close look at the photo above. The 'sofa' is actually composed of sturdy wooden pallets, with pillows and mattress piled on top. Nice touch, i must say. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tTiQTdv33ELMUCW0hyphenhyphen6WBqUOGDHcupkjkk9Ire-GbhZFYQyve3mOP5aG0iAE2MWEqga8o46AOcSiVO4CbtKTl49Ty1bce6fe4x4fpTcL8iTwMfh209Lj6yU3PGksFbt8eD_l/s1600/IMG-5df19f9d2c58419cc40c28277030e8a4-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tTiQTdv33ELMUCW0hyphenhyphen6WBqUOGDHcupkjkk9Ire-GbhZFYQyve3mOP5aG0iAE2MWEqga8o46AOcSiVO4CbtKTl49Ty1bce6fe4x4fpTcL8iTwMfh209Lj6yU3PGksFbt8eD_l/s400/IMG-5df19f9d2c58419cc40c28277030e8a4-V.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Close up photos of the artworks and other details. <br />
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There is also an outdoor seating area, which i think would be a great place to hang around at night especially under cool, breezy weather; and hear the birds chirping while imbibing some beers. </div>
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Parking inside the compound can be a problem, though. I estimate 5 - 6 cars will be a tight squeeze already.<br />
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Now, on to the food! The menu is composed of a fairly limited selection of soup, fries, tofu fries (described as 'extraordinary'), burger, mushroom rolls, salad and various rice meals (i.e. mushroom tapa / tocino / sisig / Shanghai rolls and burger steak). Think of it as simple, home-cooked food that happens to be vegan. <br />
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We tried their 5 Leaves Iced Tea (PHP90.00 per pitcher), brewed from their own herb garden. It was light and refreshing, with a slightly pronounced pandan after-taste.<br />
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Below is a 'groupie' of all the food we ordered, haha. The mushroom soup was frankly not quite appealing visually, but it provided great warmth to the stomach, and had this surprise spicy kick. Good deal at PHP60.00 per bowl.<br />
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My mushroom burger proved to be a winner! Slightly charred burger patty with good consistency. At only PHP75.00!!!<br />
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Meanwhile, Stella ordered the mushroom tapa rice meal. She found it to be 'tender and tasty', better than other similar
dishes she has tried before (she is a practicing vegan). The sauce was not overpowering and not too sweet. Great value at PHP100.00 only.<br />
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Dessert was simply hot chocolate <i>"tsokolate eh"</i>, i.e. the thick kind (made from tablea sourced from the local area). Photo shows with milk
(mine) and without milk (Stella). Either way, the hot chocolate was smooth and
soothing and full of goodness and sweetness and light!!! PHP75.00 per cup.<br />
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Here's Stella enjoying her hot chocolate :D <br />
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The Hidden Mushroom also makes their own chocolate bar. Right now, it is a
70% Dark Chocolate with coco sugar; and there are 2 - 3 variants in the
works. Oshan described it as <i>"having a wine smell"</i>. They warned it
doesn't contain cocoa butter; hence, not as smooth texture as the usual
commercial chocolate.<br />
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And they also make cocoa nibbles. Once you get started, it is hard to stop and you might end up eating the whole pack!<br />
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And since they grow their own mushrooms, it follows they sell fresh mushrooms, and
frozen marinated mushrooms as well. I bought a pack each of the Mushroom Tapa and
Mushroom Tocino for later cooking at home, and both were quite tasty.<br />
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According to Oshan, most
customers are locals who are looking for a relaxing place to hang
around in. They are open until 9:00PM.<br />
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As for future plans and directions for THM, the owners are still debating whether to add some animal protein dishes for non-vegans, as being
purely vegan can limit the appeal of this place. <br />
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Another possible direction is to offer pottery classes
(aka the 1990s move "Ghost" :D), and other types of art and healing workshops. In fact, they are in the process of
acquiring their own kiln. They sense an opportunity in this regard; as truth be told, save for 'destination' restaurants and staycationing in hotels and looking at Taal Volcano view, there is a lack of other activities to do in Tagaytay.<br />
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It will be interesting to go back in a few months' time and see what these ladies are cooking up!<br />
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The Hidden Mushroom is located at Bo. Pulong Saging, Silang, Cavite. <br />
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Check out their Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thehiddenmushroom/" target="_blank">here</a> or call 0917 823 7389 for reservations and inquiries.<br />
<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-18234304880238661432018-05-07T07:55:00.000-07:002018-12-27T17:53:29.784-08:00A SECRET GARDEN CALLED LUTONG PUGON<br />
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I was scheduled to be at a sporting event in Caliraya Recreation Center, Bgy. Lumban, Laguna over a recent weekend, and decided to self-declare a 'sandwich' holiday for myself by taking a leisurely Monday off (and availing of the May 1st, Tuesday holiday).<br />
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On a whim, i Googled some possible restaurants in the Rizal / Laguna to check out, and came across this post from the <a href="https://www.traveling-up.com/a-secret-garden-restaurant-in-rizal/" target="_blank">Traveling-Up blog. </a>Bingo! This was it! Our destination resto on the way back to Manila.<br />
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From Manila East Road, we followed the directions by Waze. Landmark was this intersection with a Jollibee store, and 2 gas stations across each other. We duly turned right; and to my consternation, the distance to Lutong Pugon was another 12 KM yet! Somehow, i had gotten it in my mind that our destination was just a few hundred meters away. Haha.<br />
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Since the road was smooth and clear, it took us around 15 minutes (passing by the well-known Bakasyunan resort along the way) to finally see the<b> Lutong Pugon </b>wooden signage, and entered their parking lot.<br />
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We were immediately charmed by the place, which is owned by artist Jun Tiongco. There is a small gallery where his and other artists' works are exhibited; as well as painting scattered in various parts of his resto.<br />
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Check out the main dining area below:<br />
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Since our group of five was famished from the weekend's exertions, we immediately got down to ordering at the counter. The food items are displayed on chalkboards; and apparently, the specialty here are the gourmet pizzas, baked in their '<i>pugon</i>' (i.e. kiln or oven). </div>
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It was a bit hard to decide, as all the pizzas seemed quite appetizing. Eventually we went for the Chorizo Iberico (chorizo, mozarella, black olives) and Gambaretto (prawns, olives, pesto, mozarella, basil) - the latter being recommended by the staff as their best-seller. <br />
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We also ordered the Chilli Prawns and Shrimp Chorizo pastas. <br />
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After a long-ish wait, the food starting arriving. Yeyy! <i>Bon appetito!</i> The Chilli Prawn pasta lived up to our expectations. Noodles were <i>al dente,</i> and while some felt it was a tad too spicy (<i>chili nga diba?</i> :D :D) and a bit oily (some merit in this one), it was definitely flavorful.<br />
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Then came the pizzas.<br />
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The Gambaretto pizza (below) was simply superb. Lutong Pugon didn't scrim on the ingredients and the mozarella melted just so, and blended with the other ingredients very well. <i>Sarap!! </i><br />
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The Chorizo Iberico pizza was no slouch either. Very tasty.<br />
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Last came the Shrimp Chorizo pasta, which was also perfectly cooked; and again, did not scrimp on the chorizo. Opinion on our table was divided on which of the pastas was better - my personal vote was for this one. <br />
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For desserts, we had their<i> halo-halo.</i> Very appealing to the eye, no? <br />
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Unfortunately, the<i> halo-halo</i> proved rather hard to eat, as the ice was well, as hard as a rock. <i>Sayang. </i>Oh well, maybe they should borrow the ice machine of Razon's of Gua-gua. Hehehe :D<br />
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There's another cozy dining area at the back, perfect for cool, overcast days. <br />
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For all the food we ordered (2 pizzas, 2 pastas, side order of potatoes, 2 halo-halos, 2 coffees), the bill came to slightly above PHP2,000.00. Which, for me, is excellent value, given the quality of the food and the relaxing garden setting, amidst a quiet part of the world. </div>
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So, yes, plans are afoot to come back next year. :D </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sitio Masanting, Sampaloc</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tanay, Rizal </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">FB: 'Lutong Pugon - Wood Fired Pizza' (@LutongPugon)</span></div>
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<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-25534380543276323402017-12-21T07:02:00.001-08:002017-12-21T07:04:15.089-08:00SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM IN SAIGON (Part 6): The Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue<span style="font-size: large;">After a long chat over ice cream, Dao and i resumed our tour. We walked over to the Nguyen Hue walking street (parallel to Dong Khoi), and she gestured us to enter this particular building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue St. is an extremely old (dating back to the 50s) and rather dilapidated 9-storey building, which was originally meant to be used as residential units. In recent years, most of the units have been taken over by a smorgasbord of independent cafes, fashion boutiques and other cutesy shops. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are signages at its street-level entrance (below). Funny thing is, you wouldn't really notice this building at all. The average tourist would just pass it by, with nary a second glace. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0woVtacFD_oi_v1eqiSNwigu1vpvjMsTsFNfH3VgrDsOw1Kh8YOc8GFwa-F-fSzjvEIUdIjz_agZG_Jeyho2oDXdm6n3c3mvkklukLHmyjhoZ8sNvG5nxQQbYRsDvc3SOwmo/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+outside+signs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0woVtacFD_oi_v1eqiSNwigu1vpvjMsTsFNfH3VgrDsOw1Kh8YOc8GFwa-F-fSzjvEIUdIjz_agZG_Jeyho2oDXdm6n3c3mvkklukLHmyjhoZ8sNvG5nxQQbYRsDvc3SOwmo/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+outside+signs.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is an elevator, with a fee of VND3,000 (roughly USD0.13), which will likely be refunded by the establishment you patronize. I was actually a bit taken aback by the elevator fee - first time to encounter such. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36nWaLwEeR-Vhxew0hCVj05Sx_2TS2DtiM16zfNCfcXDt9fNuMATn01hjA4xrZ0afpIzPrsmOceQRgzXOmV8YlwkJXivdcg5hI6VOseiP6NFMq7cRs63WlXebm_CPVW6F2x8A/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+elevator.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36nWaLwEeR-Vhxew0hCVj05Sx_2TS2DtiM16zfNCfcXDt9fNuMATn01hjA4xrZ0afpIzPrsmOceQRgzXOmV8YlwkJXivdcg5hI6VOseiP6NFMq7cRs63WlXebm_CPVW6F2x8A/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+elevator.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dao and i went to the top floor. It was cool and breezy at the 9th storey; and looking out, i was struck by the tall, narrow buildings (usually hotels) i've been seeing in the tourist area of District 1 - like this one in the pic: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcE231oVlBi-V2n-QhlijtvToqi8z7k6CeIdxNW9QQeRv59Leg8ZC6kzYWzXFnRkMuEGnghU3tthyOY7jN_KhAZDRakGlg5fIypHJRpevgERQzgfSsIftKdb0NpE6Cq3XWXL6/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+9F.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcE231oVlBi-V2n-QhlijtvToqi8z7k6CeIdxNW9QQeRv59Leg8ZC6kzYWzXFnRkMuEGnghU3tthyOY7jN_KhAZDRakGlg5fIypHJRpevgERQzgfSsIftKdb0NpE6Cq3XWXL6/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+9F.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Dao and i decided to go down via the stone staircase and take a sneak peek at the shops at each storey. As i mentioned earlier, there are still some remaining residential units in this building, so i wondered what the occupants thought of these commercial establishments in their midst. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the interesting shops we saw: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IQpTLz69Hmmi436niqB7j_X54APAZsXHIUdOIWWB8wjfp6F19TJb9rFw002nVttftCM1UvZFr-e9PzVkAYdejA8HtAPiNokDnJSVAvPS6JonFIX0NzM8jgxd8HRF0WBMk5i0/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+cat+cafe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IQpTLz69Hmmi436niqB7j_X54APAZsXHIUdOIWWB8wjfp6F19TJb9rFw002nVttftCM1UvZFr-e9PzVkAYdejA8HtAPiNokDnJSVAvPS6JonFIX0NzM8jgxd8HRF0WBMk5i0/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+cat+cafe.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cat cafe, perhaps? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVHDxryOKKUBRhiTRTQ8RS1Nn7sqXF-hOQKoDRHpuOqpSl_CNXf0fliIrnsSC3pvwq9Vnb5LJKiaBkm_wIrZ221_FJ3sw7w-nmZE5po8cgad-SAP22IcLxbxkgJ0TgJrmGhXD/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+mr+bean+coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVHDxryOKKUBRhiTRTQ8RS1Nn7sqXF-hOQKoDRHpuOqpSl_CNXf0fliIrnsSC3pvwq9Vnb5LJKiaBkm_wIrZ221_FJ3sw7w-nmZE5po8cgad-SAP22IcLxbxkgJ0TgJrmGhXD/s400/HCMC+-+42NHue+mr+bean+coffee.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Ah, Mr. Bean coffee bean coffee shop!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's how the building looks from the side: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoqHLKWMg66pY14Y-TWcyb3mhbjewf0yXy0mVJD2zlCLwRjOrvwW1GecR5IKzGuJPkQa2fqJFesKdE5OapPBBkmMc5p47kiRzdWutJGzVa3TQYB2jvfU2F94pN21lfA7CpYvO/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+4F.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoqHLKWMg66pY14Y-TWcyb3mhbjewf0yXy0mVJD2zlCLwRjOrvwW1GecR5IKzGuJPkQa2fqJFesKdE5OapPBBkmMc5p47kiRzdWutJGzVa3TQYB2jvfU2F94pN21lfA7CpYvO/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+4F.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At each storey (this is <i>Lau 6</i>, or 6th floor), the elevator landing is full of posters and advertorials of the shops therein: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEKh5EZ0cWXWMXet_kmz2xbicGn8J96eSh7iQeYXDiHM5AN8K58ANsqKllBPZ_17IU8-67RRHBVB_eDWMsEwE3GE_aCYeD57cgAHk08CCRDZVZ9Ppz1-t2aAoNO9Ra4TUhzqt/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+6F.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEKh5EZ0cWXWMXet_kmz2xbicGn8J96eSh7iQeYXDiHM5AN8K58ANsqKllBPZ_17IU8-67RRHBVB_eDWMsEwE3GE_aCYeD57cgAHk08CCRDZVZ9Ppz1-t2aAoNO9Ra4TUhzqt/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+6F.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah! This one below requires no explanation :D Come in for a fitting! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNGXWdUe9ucaVqsC8rxUWzlpUak6dnlOcIOv67Hl5ebTXmYyD82DA4LIqGOwhWWHcMLKoBBxzldunFjJtESJYNJ6H-94O9KHkfp-HebpN6sb0KZ2PXWz6b5cwd8a9L0qBCWSP/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+bra+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNGXWdUe9ucaVqsC8rxUWzlpUak6dnlOcIOv67Hl5ebTXmYyD82DA4LIqGOwhWWHcMLKoBBxzldunFjJtESJYNJ6H-94O9KHkfp-HebpN6sb0KZ2PXWz6b5cwd8a9L0qBCWSP/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+bra+shop.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another cafe. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88t3EGMxhM2K17wftTfDRrgJEHd-EC2g5Jdgx4uS07VFdmAuB_6eGcvLVkOVLGHFRY-cVNl1tRHzehsXipAgZQCcai9c7QoIJsK56Mm0K4LxAnYdj98YtirzLkZpuR0oiyL5B/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+other+cat+cafe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88t3EGMxhM2K17wftTfDRrgJEHd-EC2g5Jdgx4uS07VFdmAuB_6eGcvLVkOVLGHFRY-cVNl1tRHzehsXipAgZQCcai9c7QoIJsK56Mm0K4LxAnYdj98YtirzLkZpuR0oiyL5B/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+other+cat+cafe.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Sushi place at the end of the corridor.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ_y6djt98T7qa8r6wMTF_70vQfrObzyHz5Dksao32lEV-BgMW9zj_q7UNAGtpdkdDVVYSLFzcwQP-NsoL8Lftm0Aeowr6dVYCu15AYuwx_UzUCBKmgQmUSTARHquslfb61So/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+lanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ_y6djt98T7qa8r6wMTF_70vQfrObzyHz5Dksao32lEV-BgMW9zj_q7UNAGtpdkdDVVYSLFzcwQP-NsoL8Lftm0Aeowr6dVYCu15AYuwx_UzUCBKmgQmUSTARHquslfb61So/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+lanterns.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Look at this mural we saw on one of the walls.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJVhyXa-sxfVitzJiI5nBRj15ikD5IB6gyj3uyeIm-tNvGjyguUSQgkhZMuTOyty9cgmjdB0n4dUuYOsoOtG9Un_yw4evfTlzu6G6p4BoGTMz8xTMvJehvgVNJcQixrdM9gaG/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJVhyXa-sxfVitzJiI5nBRj15ikD5IB6gyj3uyeIm-tNvGjyguUSQgkhZMuTOyty9cgmjdB0n4dUuYOsoOtG9Un_yw4evfTlzu6G6p4BoGTMz8xTMvJehvgVNJcQixrdM9gaG/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+mural.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Orient Tea.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMakd2jyGb2ZA6dWSCAaNIrrxKnsQL8eEEApOw6bkA6lo4ICk0IKdmupsFgAtwxk_aW6gR76eR1xYcLLA-oWw4n0yHvkj6FWDy2crj9jwMqRjnBZQcWI_clWcUQ-GqnG8zfpvn/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+teashop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMakd2jyGb2ZA6dWSCAaNIrrxKnsQL8eEEApOw6bkA6lo4ICk0IKdmupsFgAtwxk_aW6gR76eR1xYcLLA-oWw4n0yHvkj6FWDy2crj9jwMqRjnBZQcWI_clWcUQ-GqnG8zfpvn/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+teashop.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most well-known establishments, The Maker. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Skbpe71joRiiVxpg7li3s4KkE6Yy_7CEoPQpHEGW1Ehy6w8LYrnkQE-Cm-EAm84a0HTF8RXfmyE5YqYpiG-u6Fpiev2xk30_sKM4RU07z7rjejwjk_qc7ohWP0aCXhfVqTEN/s1600/HCMC+-+42NHue+the+maker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Skbpe71joRiiVxpg7li3s4KkE6Yy_7CEoPQpHEGW1Ehy6w8LYrnkQE-Cm-EAm84a0HTF8RXfmyE5YqYpiG-u6Fpiev2xk30_sKM4RU07z7rjejwjk_qc7ohWP0aCXhfVqTEN/s640/HCMC+-+42NHue+the+maker.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trick really is to be on the other side of Nguyen Hue St., so one can see this building's facade (admittedly shabby and not awe-inspiring by any stretch of the imagination). Here's a photo of it, from the blog <a href="https://capreoliroundtheworld.com/2017/07/24/ho-chi-minh-city-a-city-full-of-contrasts/" target="_blank">CAPREOLI ROUND THE WORLD: </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkHQkmr6MGBkc5NRfzXA7voUewoFOOksECQznqrqoPaJKR037ehbWg0P-2aKXGM1Zgu_92xRg5VZjITFTWdrRiFp_Zl3amITwIgf60B0XCCWxjhYmnPrJBxnZNI_xHh6TNJeS/s1600/hcmc-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkHQkmr6MGBkc5NRfzXA7voUewoFOOksECQznqrqoPaJKR037ehbWg0P-2aKXGM1Zgu_92xRg5VZjITFTWdrRiFp_Zl3amITwIgf60B0XCCWxjhYmnPrJBxnZNI_xHh6TNJeS/s640/hcmc-01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Overall, i think exploring the various shops and eating in one (or more) cafes / restos would be an interesting way to spend an idyllic afternoon. Charming idea to have so many cafes under one building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For an in-depth article on this old apartment building, check this link to <a href="http://vietnamcoracle.com/the-cafe-apartment-on-saigons-walking-street/" target="_blank">Vietnam Coracle</a>. When in Saigon, do check this building out! It may not be around for long, due to the incessant push for modernity. Also, the government authorities are apparently cracking down, since households are not officially allowed to conduct business on apartment units (according to the <a href="https://saigoneer.com/saigon-news/9389-saigon-to-evict-shops-and-cafes-from-42-nguyen-hue" target="_blank">Saigoneer</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">[This is the last post for my Saigon series. Hope you enjoyed reading as much as i enjoyed visiting Saigon!]</span>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-52315600735647184492017-12-18T06:50:00.000-08:002017-12-18T06:50:40.746-08:00SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM IN SAIGON (Part 5): Hanging on for dear life on the bike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was looking for some local food tours to join for this trip, and saw some websites for motorcycle tours. There are two companies that appear to stand out, <a href="http://vespaadventures.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Vespa Adventures</a> (yep, all their bikes are of this iconic Italian brand, so if you are too poor to own one, sign up now! :D) and <a href="https://xotours.vn/" target="_blank">XO Tours</a> (whose unique selling point was that they were the first, all-female motorbike tour company). My interest was piqued with XO. Imagine, a female driver wearing the traditional<i> ao dai </i>at the wheel, vroom vrooming around town. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, it came to pass that on a Friday late afternoon, my driver Yen, wearing a blue-and-white <i>ao dai </i>and a white XO tour helmet, picked me up at my hotel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, i must mention that at this point, i have never ever ridden on a motorbike in my entire life. So i was filled with apprehension (<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"is it safe?" / "what if we collide with another bike or a car?" / "does my travel insurance cover this?" / "what if i fall off the bike and get squashed by a bus?" / "i don't want to be a headline on Saigon Daily - 'Fat tourist run over by car'"</i></span></span>) and worry (and trepidation and anxiety....you get the drift).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So i climbed into the back seat and Yen helped me strap on the white helmet and pointed to the handles where i can hold on to. She did say there was no need to hold on, just maintain balance and relax. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, our meeting point (and first food stop) was just nearby - a few minutes away. There we met up with the other tourists taking the foodie tour, and our tour manager Tai, who proved to be a congenial, articulate person and soon put everyone at ease. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this noodle place in District 1, we tried this dish below. Nope, it is not<i> pho</i> (surprise, surprise). Instead, it is called <i>Bun Bo Hue </i>(rice
vermicelli with beef stock). If you look closely, you will see that the noodles are thicker,
so they don't absorb water and you can eat them at your leisure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty tasty and warms the stomach. I just had to remind myself not to finish the entire bowl, lest i become too full quickly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we were off again via our motorbikes. The ride going to the next stop proved to be a long one. We passed through the backpacker district, Chinatown at District 5 where the streets were filled with vendors laying their goods on the ground, and went on major highways where motorbikes crowded together with cars. As you can imagine, i was scared shitless and had a death grip on the handles of our bike. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Yikes! Watch out!</i>" i shrieked as we nearly got hit by another bike. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Relax! You have to trust me"</i> Yen gently remonstrated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But it just seemed that other bikes were always too close or coming out of nowhere; or cars were just inches away and about to hit us. One particular manoeuvre of Yen, which involved overtaking on the right without signalling, then sharply veering to the left and cutting off a car and some bikes, took my breath away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"How long have you been driving for the tours?"</i> i inquired</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Oh its my first day today!" </i>Yen chirpily replied</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Holy f**k!!"</i> i muttered [underneath my breath]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next food stop was at a massive BBQ hall in District 8. We were seated at a long table, and our female drivers took charge in cooking the meats. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7Feh2Xf3dci0coBbRjBl0S6aqjK4b07FKRctacijrvU8XOl_iBsTB1JP1RYpM0vkSyTzB3a9RMSsv77VAiCoIUQuhlgFh5TJvNkOG5vaukZBlQl8ENhfTG03YL4Y__TKn4ee/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+BBQ+hall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7Feh2Xf3dci0coBbRjBl0S6aqjK4b07FKRctacijrvU8XOl_iBsTB1JP1RYpM0vkSyTzB3a9RMSsv77VAiCoIUQuhlgFh5TJvNkOG5vaukZBlQl8ENhfTG03YL4Y__TKn4ee/s400/HCMC+-+XO+BBQ+hall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Watch the ladies in action. Totally brisk and no-nonsense :D </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tai mentioned the goat meat was a particular specialty of this place (it's the one on the bottom part of the photo below). True enough, it was indeed very tasty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaymceCBzmq6QS2TdjiHq3DGdklBvzamht6mjQxU6rxG8GEa7xCF5TphvRP6nuOmD9LMhgVOSCKusxiKrG4Irr190GBo5sgoIsd7xY04qdvVest3pVZuwZ2aZgazIZYTurJaF1/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+goat+meat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaymceCBzmq6QS2TdjiHq3DGdklBvzamht6mjQxU6rxG8GEa7xCF5TphvRP6nuOmD9LMhgVOSCKusxiKrG4Irr190GBo5sgoIsd7xY04qdvVest3pVZuwZ2aZgazIZYTurJaF1/s400/HCMC+-+XO+goat+meat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, when in Saigon, one has to drink Saigon Beer! :D </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKYUsLU65Qb8A6GfPQd6KrB2bdVH2Zfd4HkIC9dG1vOW0NCsXG5aJGJAnzqWgTmXwJFu_bPKpeBT_AfAaRqj2lMeB95w9ZSiimbFsmSK-ZEc5giO-RtBxb-nUhIAeVEhA12MI/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+saigon+beer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKYUsLU65Qb8A6GfPQd6KrB2bdVH2Zfd4HkIC9dG1vOW0NCsXG5aJGJAnzqWgTmXwJFu_bPKpeBT_AfAaRqj2lMeB95w9ZSiimbFsmSK-ZEc5giO-RtBxb-nUhIAeVEhA12MI/s640/HCMC+-+XO+saigon+beer.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yen took the opportunity to mention that she had actually been on this job for 7 months already. She had been putting gullible me on! Tsk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By this time, the atmosphere was convivial as everyone was eating to their hearts' content. To ratchet up the experience further, "happy tea" was brought out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone was obligated to drink it. But before drinking, one had to say "YO", the Vietnamese word for 'cheers', as long as one could. So all of us cheered "YYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" :D </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibre70fNOtvVhfBO4VaX2NQI_Ck5UhzCAWPdNKnZHjC4LMD0ttt89UXtCeKr15RvYRuwGF7s1CRXWbkmgWniXne3hcOajiD1wvq8BP-ibA_VGOWPO_4ANyzyVGDOtjcyOj8Nce/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+magic+tea.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibre70fNOtvVhfBO4VaX2NQI_Ck5UhzCAWPdNKnZHjC4LMD0ttt89UXtCeKr15RvYRuwGF7s1CRXWbkmgWniXne3hcOajiD1wvq8BP-ibA_VGOWPO_4ANyzyVGDOtjcyOj8Nce/s400/HCMC+-+XO+magic+tea.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then bottoms up! (of course, one party-pooping slacker did not bottoms up, and just took a slip. Uggh, vile liquid)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yen whispered to me that the "happy tea" was, in fact, banana rice
wine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you take a guess what this is? <i>Sirit na?</i> Frog meat. Tender and juicy and tastes like chicken :D </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRNolgUi9eNA-jyH8jNrSNyGSOIx0Cuy7l2xS2eHh0tyzYet8_2SKynfOGmen-88_uO1kJ6JVx8bnmRM-sboGvcn0zzdDqUOFJLon1XWKE7v01Ji5VHnM1WhQkGhMdSMfrhVZ/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+frog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRNolgUi9eNA-jyH8jNrSNyGSOIx0Cuy7l2xS2eHh0tyzYet8_2SKynfOGmen-88_uO1kJ6JVx8bnmRM-sboGvcn0zzdDqUOFJLon1XWKE7v01Ji5VHnM1WhQkGhMdSMfrhVZ/s640/HCMC+-+XO+frog.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a look at Mr. Froggy in complete form: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcbBZ1UHpcAkur0U3cVYQR7MpTCZznSp9fuDoemvzbKAe9Vj7hK1mcz_36gIaG7pkMsfqC1xeX9e6cJJUVZtj42xwyI_70zMO1dbTO4xMtt4leuk-1Dne3EXebpQph5bsxmB6/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+Jumping+Chicken+%2528Frog%2529+tai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcbBZ1UHpcAkur0U3cVYQR7MpTCZznSp9fuDoemvzbKAe9Vj7hK1mcz_36gIaG7pkMsfqC1xeX9e6cJJUVZtj42xwyI_70zMO1dbTO4xMtt4leuk-1Dne3EXebpQph5bsxmB6/s400/HCMC+-+XO+Jumping+Chicken+%2528Frog%2529+tai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Photo credit: Tai Dang<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we were off to our next stop. We passed by the "new" part of Saigon, District 7, where most of the expats lived (known as 'Koreatown'). It looked quite modern and had a lot of American restaurant chains. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3swhkh6Sr8v59HMTJQNIDe2X-RZ79KuG56w_1KdjsmDNKapjKZbpYaucxXNbZYxS5pafsqPddibcZBnplRtcAHM0IR59lkv7tsMUQ9mITrib3eonqo8Uj-6V4nBwZ7vMJUb_/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+riding+motorbike+back+tai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3swhkh6Sr8v59HMTJQNIDe2X-RZ79KuG56w_1KdjsmDNKapjKZbpYaucxXNbZYxS5pafsqPddibcZBnplRtcAHM0IR59lkv7tsMUQ9mITrib3eonqo8Uj-6V4nBwZ7vMJUb_/s400/HCMC+-+XO+riding+motorbike+back+tai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Photo credit: Tai Dang<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this point, I had gotten used to riding on the bike and was much more relaxed. Still hanging on the handles for not-so-dear life, though. Yen and i chatted quite a bit, which greatly helped in making me feel at ease. She had heard of Boracay Island, and was keen to go there. I mentioned the usual touristic blurb that it was always voted one of the best islands in the world by travel magazines; that the white sand was so fine, one could walk barefoot without getting burnt, yada yada. I didn't have the heart to tell her the island was over crowded and haphazardly developed, and was one giant shit hole and will probably sink under the weight of all that concrete in a few years. Hehehe!!! :D </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last
food stop for the night was in District 4, one of the poorest parts of HCMC. Tai mentioned it had the best seafood as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We duly disembarked at a street full of roadside eateries. The scene was vibrant and full of energy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_duNgJhOKJSDLX8vh-sRFFWxque-YucQdHcpBAC_q9kSKcWsPK6oHovosH3PsUFW2DvT9z_T-lMrLnjXlUtOtqH7R6QDIhO_1KVi2owFEGz4Xj_oWdoLUB2FMyolcQrrvPxg/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+seafood+place.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_duNgJhOKJSDLX8vh-sRFFWxque-YucQdHcpBAC_q9kSKcWsPK6oHovosH3PsUFW2DvT9z_T-lMrLnjXlUtOtqH7R6QDIhO_1KVi2owFEGz4Xj_oWdoLUB2FMyolcQrrvPxg/s400/HCMC+-+XO+seafood+place.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First up was some crab, with pepper and coriander. It proved to be quite spicy, but very fresh. Very good indeed!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHLzf8aROuH2kp5caDT973GgbTAwmMizQ_L6YxkcjxzrOKbqBPDXVe8r9QSkkMCVIayQ_N13PrZMZReswqpN3fUZ6sdD_bt14-dkqwOpl_yp9ko_gOT9Rjwt2dh_JWI3mBq_v/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+crab.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHLzf8aROuH2kp5caDT973GgbTAwmMizQ_L6YxkcjxzrOKbqBPDXVe8r9QSkkMCVIayQ_N13PrZMZReswqpN3fUZ6sdD_bt14-dkqwOpl_yp9ko_gOT9Rjwt2dh_JWI3mBq_v/s640/HCMC+-+XO+crab.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For me, the star of the night was this dish below. Scallops with peanuts and green onions and sweet sauce. Simply fabulous! I ate probably around 10 pieces, and stopped only lest the tourmates think i'm an absolute glutton. Hehe :D</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaA49hr4kxvDPnqs4TJ_NLtEkargMWZlbPIAEiBh0HZZxMeaV_Cf6j2CdJ_sFmwDRo0Br_wYYXuMiRMHNsm6ZtrHKI5eRIPjH9YUhq122wIejFYCO7vdB14FUyS0p-UMJMUEeC/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+yummy+scallops.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaA49hr4kxvDPnqs4TJ_NLtEkargMWZlbPIAEiBh0HZZxMeaV_Cf6j2CdJ_sFmwDRo0Br_wYYXuMiRMHNsm6ZtrHKI5eRIPjH9YUhq122wIejFYCO7vdB14FUyS0p-UMJMUEeC/s640/HCMC+-+XO+yummy+scallops.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Tai had forewarned, <i>balut </i>(duck embyro) that had been steamed, and then stir fried, was served as well. Of course, the Westerners were egged on to try this exotic delicacy (some of them had seen it in shows like Fear Factor). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This lady looked a bit discombobulated at the sight of the embryo! Hahahaha! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXF1EaXNpmjZoNRcpzUXHWUFkvUurVXwwcTgC1bA9U2bhNYvJmNnSy4WxIUe9AYBJ7NmlQ1peTcNkxG95l7q6Fc2RZIG4wnBRXBVa1ZGvrLmSrM0Q0-oY_UsPPX5ApMlA3S5s/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+balut.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXF1EaXNpmjZoNRcpzUXHWUFkvUurVXwwcTgC1bA9U2bhNYvJmNnSy4WxIUe9AYBJ7NmlQ1peTcNkxG95l7q6Fc2RZIG4wnBRXBVa1ZGvrLmSrM0Q0-oY_UsPPX5ApMlA3S5s/s640/HCMC+-+XO+balut.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But her friend ate it with gusto. Mucho delicioso!!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi111Tzw_-n89hyphenhyphend3Rdfm_Ay9Qz6g0Cq47ecwrA034fXWsygLOAW0tROqihoPqiSgvOfCbGhMZCrVHDDKfX6kwyuAutTDNXuK9FR4jxVNUOAiO7xUCYDEawF6gLB1IZYsy0GoZ5/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+balut+with+gusto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi111Tzw_-n89hyphenhyphend3Rdfm_Ay9Qz6g0Cq47ecwrA034fXWsygLOAW0tROqihoPqiSgvOfCbGhMZCrVHDDKfX6kwyuAutTDNXuK9FR4jxVNUOAiO7xUCYDEawF6gLB1IZYsy0GoZ5/s400/HCMC+-+XO+balut+with+gusto.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some rice cakes in different colors for dessert. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0ZXIlNsHDwUWsb0hyphenhyphendUL5RCJw7nii7-K-6MduEVUQkQMb2a_uugwg6uDowl49k7YIjzBQ6_hqIUBb7TscQlmn4G3xK4ZK_6fhgYjTs6uFsTzRZXSVUxgfFH8Kbm3OO7NYw9-/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+glutinous+rice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0ZXIlNsHDwUWsb0hyphenhyphendUL5RCJw7nii7-K-6MduEVUQkQMb2a_uugwg6uDowl49k7YIjzBQ6_hqIUBb7TscQlmn4G3xK4ZK_6fhgYjTs6uFsTzRZXSVUxgfFH8Kbm3OO7NYw9-/s640/HCMC+-+XO+glutinous+rice.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, the coconut jelly, which was very light and refreshing; and was the perfect way to end this meal. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3yohu5tAmWXQnBZ4bD6jFl24ZBmklRGhewgO3uk9nGrebQSoXW-t30DAHComhQQljYRDR-BANqLWDVVl21lOaDoBr8iXP6xUqyqyjgPNAOFmCt0ZnwFN_AUFdk-61hqWGq69/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+coconut+jelly+tai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3yohu5tAmWXQnBZ4bD6jFl24ZBmklRGhewgO3uk9nGrebQSoXW-t30DAHComhQQljYRDR-BANqLWDVVl21lOaDoBr8iXP6xUqyqyjgPNAOFmCt0ZnwFN_AUFdk-61hqWGq69/s400/HCMC+-+XO+coconut+jelly+tai.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Photo credit: Tai Dang <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here it is up close. Yen commented it was actually quite easy to make at home. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZPxE7cMhxML_PMcMD2dQNQ36yTsn3rDgGeBuf6lR9FyypZAXCMZpvf0LgoHyK9JGE_YEo6W4lY8W1UIYrPN6UdgOzQx43djnBmn1j6tjn5_1oLeAdnDiEuFShvV2a0QOfkkf/s1600/HCMC+-+XO+coconut+jelly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZPxE7cMhxML_PMcMD2dQNQ36yTsn3rDgGeBuf6lR9FyypZAXCMZpvf0LgoHyK9JGE_YEo6W4lY8W1UIYrPN6UdgOzQx43djnBmn1j6tjn5_1oLeAdnDiEuFShvV2a0QOfkkf/s400/HCMC+-+XO+coconut+jelly.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was time to call it a night. District 4 turned out to be rather near (15 minutes away) my hotel in District 1. I'm proud to say that i finally relaxed and let go of the handles during the final trip back to my hotel (okay okay, i confess, during the last 20 meters to the hotel. Hahahaha!!! *facepalm*)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I heartily recommend this tour - great way to see places in Saigon outside the tourist bubble of District 1, and try out really good food with good company. Experience Vietnam on two wheels indeed!</span><br />
grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-9646309011579766902017-12-14T06:37:00.000-08:002017-12-14T06:37:14.013-08:00SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM IN SAIGON: (Part 4) CONG Caphe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaVLe36c8wIlBXPaT2n3XtknaDU_v3CDYN8CmfGyBNt1TAaTs7pV6RI0lrxH18ua4yeLSOUQOn4R1ICbpV6iXkNu9ulkbYevnn3cDzKmXVmyGMAxEJfDb3rq6PW4weIDpcauR/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaVLe36c8wIlBXPaT2n3XtknaDU_v3CDYN8CmfGyBNt1TAaTs7pV6RI0lrxH18ua4yeLSOUQOn4R1ICbpV6iXkNu9ulkbYevnn3cDzKmXVmyGMAxEJfDb3rq6PW4weIDpcauR/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the Saigon Street Art and Graffiti tour with my charming guide Dao, we stopped over to a coffee shop (Saigon is chock full of them) named Cong Caphe. It was located at the 3rd floor of a rather derelict-looking building with shabby stairs, which had been repurposed to host cafes, boutiques and other assorted shops. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right off, i noticed this establishment was some sort of a 'theme' cafe, the motif being a Communist military aesthetic. The giveaway was the uniform worn by the staff; and somehow the word 'Cong' brings to mind 'Vietcong' (i.e. guerilla fighters during the war).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa6EUotbnE-mnEAcdE65hz5eyedpThJLKgvr1IYFSIiTj_U8DwNske3QCI5SwPmIecBiSOJuljNHfyi20_qUHrbxK1pCAYAtSnCQmWfplj44HaS7M8zDjWcZd8dcTOZFXNBy5/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+server+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa6EUotbnE-mnEAcdE65hz5eyedpThJLKgvr1IYFSIiTj_U8DwNske3QCI5SwPmIecBiSOJuljNHfyi20_qUHrbxK1pCAYAtSnCQmWfplj44HaS7M8zDjWcZd8dcTOZFXNBy5/s400/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+server+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The interiors of the cafe seemed deliberately shabby chic. Well, after all, i suppose the Vietcong didn't live in luxurious surroundings [did they hide in the Cu Chi tunnels? Sorry, my history is not only spotty, it's actually non-existent] The flowery design of the seat cushions and tablecloth seemed to be a recurring sight. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yFntp0UZGVS__NsWKwXco9-NDyhdCVlmVNaSUiwqiRjQjpVY08EOubAR5oUs0_tSLDX1YvIxCeA7cHfbQxCdbcaR-DTe2vR75Kyji0EN1021fnDPMMuD1PZzsxunGo4AoiXa/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+chairs+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yFntp0UZGVS__NsWKwXco9-NDyhdCVlmVNaSUiwqiRjQjpVY08EOubAR5oUs0_tSLDX1YvIxCeA7cHfbQxCdbcaR-DTe2vR75Kyji0EN1021fnDPMMuD1PZzsxunGo4AoiXa/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+chairs+2.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the plastic covers of the light bulbs. Aren't those originally meant to cover food items and shield them from mosquitoes? :D That's charming Dao in the photo, in case you ask. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85grt-z3tA3fr-QDeQyysVNuF2GS0Z6C2duYXYbTOPsJwx9rSc5KoaNh1ci2yxGFsIcyXq5G1DjaU4QPnKd_WiTOZpzoL6-dPgn2cXF6s__8DbA8FaE_lXfrhYRA8BmBHZdh6/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+tables+window.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85grt-z3tA3fr-QDeQyysVNuF2GS0Z6C2duYXYbTOPsJwx9rSc5KoaNh1ci2yxGFsIcyXq5G1DjaU4QPnKd_WiTOZpzoL6-dPgn2cXF6s__8DbA8FaE_lXfrhYRA8BmBHZdh6/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+tables+window.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> But in fairness, Cong Caphe has a serious array of coffee and non-caffeinated beverages on its menu (which naturally had a vintage look as well). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCG9Mh0BbszkTBI4O32gYoDAXloiHZYL_L6uA_sQOMkX-TPYC5VwwXxfm9RkSGzd2dYy8DYXVvYt1k8CJ2zsnp-CxQ2LuaXSA0Ehkh_4qA0a_LHNJq-6ShMXxgMz_dUQdTwWb/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCG9Mh0BbszkTBI4O32gYoDAXloiHZYL_L6uA_sQOMkX-TPYC5VwwXxfm9RkSGzd2dYy8DYXVvYt1k8CJ2zsnp-CxQ2LuaXSA0Ehkh_4qA0a_LHNJq-6ShMXxgMz_dUQdTwWb/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+menu.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7v5m62_bICPplz5GZETPhhnxmerRKcdWH6gw_Ka61hLpkSjvY89gMZWDolf0lL8ZIzxxd-3yyRFi6kyOd23Vk464y-24KwRphIx3npjHXocaCwMOv62h3PjvcoiW8bHHbc5v/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+menu+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7v5m62_bICPplz5GZETPhhnxmerRKcdWH6gw_Ka61hLpkSjvY89gMZWDolf0lL8ZIzxxd-3yyRFi6kyOd23Vk464y-24KwRphIx3npjHXocaCwMOv62h3PjvcoiW8bHHbc5v/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+menu+2.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> On the second floor, there's a cozy area where one can actually spend long hours studying or simply reading. And look at all those books! All in Vietnamese though. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPyVhuQTSm_lKagLEeL-z1xcQvrlGccb3faGYbp8-SgM0LxvmJjJeSf21RXOwX5tRuJHQa5FFw6X7phzbx4org4au915SnmJImOtLgwzOoEfErmBnoTlSckSYsinxPZcVurbC/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPyVhuQTSm_lKagLEeL-z1xcQvrlGccb3faGYbp8-SgM0LxvmJjJeSf21RXOwX5tRuJHQa5FFw6X7phzbx4org4au915SnmJImOtLgwzOoEfErmBnoTlSckSYsinxPZcVurbC/s400/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+books.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Check out this cute number they gave us for our order. Very...ummm, Communistic, eh? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicq7ttq9akUqXG9nNbJoOhyphenhyphenCjINef49kFNFn8vLCT1k5ER-NF6o2aj-i-ACOHmnSWYq7Dfx61gwLwDuBbNa6gribCyBuUEmXvaYxGJJAIGPCgxwngw_iI8IP40AUtfVlKnClzh/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+no.+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicq7ttq9akUqXG9nNbJoOhyphenhyphenCjINef49kFNFn8vLCT1k5ER-NF6o2aj-i-ACOHmnSWYq7Dfx61gwLwDuBbNa6gribCyBuUEmXvaYxGJJAIGPCgxwngw_iI8IP40AUtfVlKnClzh/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+no.+5.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah, here comes Comrade Nguyen to serve the drinks! :D </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw031BH_Ip8A3YgR_1xwLW0Anm_0f-f5qnlA-9Xt0oLdJOG-RfE9089krw29ttHomxhV8Gm8CfPSLA2K3PcE2lpR6tB0dM0p2As3cglweiAqiWq-IxMEAFoiEooK0eX3A3le_/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+server.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw031BH_Ip8A3YgR_1xwLW0Anm_0f-f5qnlA-9Xt0oLdJOG-RfE9089krw29ttHomxhV8Gm8CfPSLA2K3PcE2lpR6tB0dM0p2As3cglweiAqiWq-IxMEAFoiEooK0eX3A3le_/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+server.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dao ordered one of their specialites - <i>Cot Cua Com Xanh</i> (Coconut milk with green rice smoothie) at VND65,000, while i got the classic <i>Ca Phe Sua Dac </i>Saigon (Iced coffee with condensed milk) at VND35,000.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsItW2hS7DvMgTqKB9oyr7Mt45xzqsqwFbpkScyROpT7reqwM4a7gFDZ7yI5O52XPfpMimZL8-kzPowEjTETiNQ9KgbmDaFPjiyFDS9VeQRSEWfBP4G8wUKIYUG9wrO4Zh3a6s/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+drinks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsItW2hS7DvMgTqKB9oyr7Mt45xzqsqwFbpkScyROpT7reqwM4a7gFDZ7yI5O52XPfpMimZL8-kzPowEjTETiNQ9KgbmDaFPjiyFDS9VeQRSEWfBP4G8wUKIYUG9wrO4Zh3a6s/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+drinks.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a hot, humid day, and we already had walked for more than an hour. So this pit stop was quite conducive for a long chat and simply watching the world go by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until it was time to do some more walking! I felt quite charmed with Cong Caphe - the theme is obviously unique, if not a bit absurd; but it wasn't by any means tacky. And hey, it works! The place was nearly full during our time there. </span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQM37HEKR9yxkui9xQjQ8zj8el-0TxwaktlkbzWnRbMoCExQDTm7Nt4wqYahQrt0XpV37OH_jd0xzP_LwspFMazawaDoUsq3Q8xWvhT3TTLczDfkcjzHMeFF9OlYiFYEcoUkX/s1600/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+info.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQM37HEKR9yxkui9xQjQ8zj8el-0TxwaktlkbzWnRbMoCExQDTm7Nt4wqYahQrt0XpV37OH_jd0xzP_LwspFMazawaDoUsq3Q8xWvhT3TTLczDfkcjzHMeFF9OlYiFYEcoUkX/s640/HCMC+-+Cafe+Cong+info.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> [Epilogue: The GUS has had one or two nightmares about the flowery tablecloth since his return from Saigon]</span>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-84239114161192056012017-12-13T07:54:00.001-08:002017-12-13T07:54:25.079-08:00SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM IN SAIGON: (Part 3) Old Compass Cafe <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpGM0wcrk9ow7B2PrlFuOhHvQ5cwwjBCNBbyTN-gp5_6N9UkdFISmE3axPAvvRHCpKIMaIh_2XZm6FkOQjMbfBhQxWmhExvNaGRvP0g1uUtkOZZ5DMADuVTnZx4f5LIT-TTto/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpGM0wcrk9ow7B2PrlFuOhHvQ5cwwjBCNBbyTN-gp5_6N9UkdFISmE3axPAvvRHCpKIMaIh_2XZm6FkOQjMbfBhQxWmhExvNaGRvP0g1uUtkOZZ5DMADuVTnZx4f5LIT-TTto/s640/HCMC+-+OCC+poster.jpg" width="360" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Included in the 'Tales of the City' walking tour with Old Compass Travel was lunch, so my guide Duong and i trooped to their own cafe Old Compass Cafe. This also serves as the home of their company with her business partner Mark Bowyer, an Aussie who had started a travel blog called <a href="https://www.rustycompass.com/" target="_blank"> Rusty Compass. </a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has since evolved into a fully independent and comprehensive travel guide for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, yet it remains a very personal endeavor - no paid listings and no commercial spin. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0K00bUjpMkpyXmAK7YDP2iXLiKUiSb0t5E1gm2WwhRuBWOOKnTjb5fTOZIoJfZsyouLWgyE3ASOHRHJJ_e9fQyg7UAvRwdioaEwf9V3pnV8oWZ5D9Ubi4j6SE8S1iDryWqjf/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+wide+angle+photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0K00bUjpMkpyXmAK7YDP2iXLiKUiSb0t5E1gm2WwhRuBWOOKnTjb5fTOZIoJfZsyouLWgyE3ASOHRHJJ_e9fQyg7UAvRwdioaEwf9V3pnV8oWZ5D9Ubi4j6SE8S1iDryWqjf/s640/HCMC+-+OCC+wide+angle+photo.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Opening the door and stepping inside Old Compass Cafe can very well be like going into a different world altogether. I can best describe the place as 'retro', almost as if it was an old cafe left untouched and preserved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One almost forgets one is located right along a main road, with multitudes of motorbikes rumbling by. It just radiates a quiet kind of charm. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUktdCjwIm1LlyRjQSjS4wnrFz4MIJjk8E4Dd__r77OLSEstAGKoPd2OtcTgR_ATjQHHkHHOQvrp9yfIXXGbTDtvQHwGq4gup_8dh7MK_FrtC3tpxO8V5OcT6v5L-fcGoxNJMq/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+sofa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUktdCjwIm1LlyRjQSjS4wnrFz4MIJjk8E4Dd__r77OLSEstAGKoPd2OtcTgR_ATjQHHkHHOQvrp9yfIXXGbTDtvQHwGq4gup_8dh7MK_FrtC3tpxO8V5OcT6v5L-fcGoxNJMq/s400/HCMC+-+OCC+sofa.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They usually offer two sets for lunch and dinner - Main and Vegetarian. Obviously, I chose the main set. :D </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FtxDNPb8RmrUrT583mmBZsjHjJKasFJPA5XvTJtqerPRm9GobYVDymxnT8tbyVY5INagUdXqGv2RQ8k7dlKdkew-rUHLLEzk4NFtvLycgiKB-8R3LbOQhmaXJBPPatAgK44S/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+lunch+menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FtxDNPb8RmrUrT583mmBZsjHjJKasFJPA5XvTJtqerPRm9GobYVDymxnT8tbyVY5INagUdXqGv2RQ8k7dlKdkew-rUHLLEzk4NFtvLycgiKB-8R3LbOQhmaXJBPPatAgK44S/s640/HCMC+-+OCC+lunch+menu.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's how the food looked like: simple, home-cooked cuisine. Everything was excellent, in particular the mushroom soup with shredded chicken. Priced at VND150,000.00 (roughly USD7.00), it was fantastic value for money. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugPxSDulPLcrX0EtrsVaPUOYy6CBfqIqaYfzwM6rid6q-WxIbNM4bvT8i8gp2JAVRyhJ8ncgagTxHARzxv6R9JoRt-xoVfuXUKCeaP38UFH1IXMgDUmUg1huxdEo1xI3jYX_2/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+lunch+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugPxSDulPLcrX0EtrsVaPUOYy6CBfqIqaYfzwM6rid6q-WxIbNM4bvT8i8gp2JAVRyhJ8ncgagTxHARzxv6R9JoRt-xoVfuXUKCeaP38UFH1IXMgDUmUg1huxdEo1xI3jYX_2/s640/HCMC+-+OCC+lunch+set.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their coffee (made from Arabica beans from Dalat) was pretty good, too. They also serve craft beer on tap from Pasteur Street Brewing Co., one of Saigon's pioneering craft brewers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Duong below, with one of her annoying customers :D </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmluDn_yEx9uGEpcfSlFh-iewk_DaLH4HZtsy7-HdcAlhO35md4DCvGH7wJGhfDndVS8C6LLbUqjUi4K5gFbjLbWuuFW1wvXy8cze124X7RLAi4HiFgrFBj4JVMF1rf8mTP8Z/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+me+%2526+duong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmluDn_yEx9uGEpcfSlFh-iewk_DaLH4HZtsy7-HdcAlhO35md4DCvGH7wJGhfDndVS8C6LLbUqjUi4K5gFbjLbWuuFW1wvXy8cze124X7RLAi4HiFgrFBj4JVMF1rf8mTP8Z/s400/HCMC+-+OCC+me+%2526+duong.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, I loved the food and company so much that i came back the next night for dinner. Wasn't able to take photos of the main set (priced at VND180,000.00), but i remember the food was as good as my first visit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I got to meet Mark, the person behind the Rusty Compass site! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Old Compass Cafe also hosts a varied array of live music performances, and talks on architecture, travel, science, etc. Here are some event posters on their bathroom wall. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWYtHAOkIWKGMBoDFgNLd1HU_WvUOOZnTf6wJCBWZjnFMcSz4PlTQ5Fl3Hf-RF8MK60ixOauLHZIdLEJbGJP8PoPg2fElzjEeftNeWl3gD-VIIW4hprrTzpOlqC7U3GPQrZIc/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+bathroom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWYtHAOkIWKGMBoDFgNLd1HU_WvUOOZnTf6wJCBWZjnFMcSz4PlTQ5Fl3Hf-RF8MK60ixOauLHZIdLEJbGJP8PoPg2fElzjEeftNeWl3gD-VIIW4hprrTzpOlqC7U3GPQrZIc/s400/HCMC+-+OCC+bathroom.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, the question now is: How to find this lovely place? It can indeed be rather difficult, you can very easily be walking and completely pass it by. The most visible landmark is the Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel, a massive modern 4-star hotel right beside the building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the alley right next to it, watch out for this sign below: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkm5jeYbTZMYyRP-nevHJ5YUcyq0zqEHvAn41AQcQ-qf9CNB5CBCkZTuTnJmOUKAyQ2_vkpr4F5Lthx1MzUBlgez9ID5mR3y4aV6_cZb3g1pZYJJbwL5VnTw2Lvu10UE1toAS/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+signage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkm5jeYbTZMYyRP-nevHJ5YUcyq0zqEHvAn41AQcQ-qf9CNB5CBCkZTuTnJmOUKAyQ2_vkpr4F5Lthx1MzUBlgez9ID5mR3y4aV6_cZb3g1pZYJJbwL5VnTw2Lvu10UE1toAS/s640/HCMC+-+OCC+signage.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then walk up the concrete stairs (do not mind the rather dingy surroundings, hehe :D), and upon reaching the 3rd floor, you will see this door:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGuc7iFv78IZjihMGD_mnt0OTQBiC4iXO0VwCkdum1G6ZAApZum9vCAhztPY2HBXJ78uqJhdqh-nGImF9peFlO9_bG4egxJbHLSMejNoHv71pa1zVlt-Z2IIeJh9SzN6XwCbK/s1600/HCMC+-+OCC+3rd+floor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGuc7iFv78IZjihMGD_mnt0OTQBiC4iXO0VwCkdum1G6ZAApZum9vCAhztPY2HBXJ78uqJhdqh-nGImF9peFlO9_bG4egxJbHLSMejNoHv71pa1zVlt-Z2IIeJh9SzN6XwCbK/s640/HCMC+-+OCC+3rd+floor.jpg" width="360" /> </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Do drop by when you're in Saigon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Old Compass Cafe</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">3rd Floor, 63/11 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mobile: +84 903 900 841</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/oldcompasscafe">facebook.com/oldcompasscafe</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instagram: oldcompasscafesaigon</span></span><br />
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<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-37254400535317676122017-12-09T07:11:00.001-08:002017-12-09T07:11:50.953-08:00SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM IN SAIGON: (Part 2) Essential Info <span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so before heading off to explore Saigon, i've compiled a by-no-means comprehensive guide on essential info that might be useful for you, the tourist. In no particular order: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. How to get to the city from the airport? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">By NO means should you flag down any random taxi passing by, or talk to touts loitering around outside the arrival hall offering cheap rides. To be safe, avail of a taxi service at one of the airport counters. I paid total of VND180,000 (USD8.00) for my ride from airport to my hotel in District 1. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Exchanging money </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's alright to exchange your US Dollars to Vietnamese Dong (VND) at the airport. The rate is generally the same, although some money exchange counters offer 'No commission'. Presently, the exchange rate is something like VND22,600/USD1.00. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa-0yRMLK8m5pOBl5L3NB1FE_nOYb9wW095-pj5EUAMj7tGhNeaX55frT60fspv9IHAxoT1A7oX67Drarxuz0YL9BBy8B0vRNb9ycfWSSmnOsxRoy5wP3luHxHvvDLj8LJDHJ/s1600/HCMC+-+VND.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa-0yRMLK8m5pOBl5L3NB1FE_nOYb9wW095-pj5EUAMj7tGhNeaX55frT60fspv9IHAxoT1A7oX67Drarxuz0YL9BBy8B0vRNb9ycfWSSmnOsxRoy5wP3luHxHvvDLj8LJDHJ/s640/HCMC+-+VND.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, when in Vietnam, you become an instant millionaire! (USD100.00 = VND,2,260,000). But as my finance wiz friend Mon T. says, <i>"it's not how much money you have, but what you can buy with it that matters."</i> It does take getting used to hearing prices being quoted, and mentally calculating how much one is actually spending. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some prices i've encountered: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Taxi ride (one-way from District 1 to District 7): VND130,000.00</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lunch at cafe: VND180,000.00</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Desserts at L'Usine (one of Saigon's swankiest cafes): VND150,000.00</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Juice at typical cafe: VND50,000.00</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Flat white at typical cafe: VND65,000.00</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">More important, do take note of the VND bills, as they all have the same look, but with different colors and sizes depending on denomination. Some unscrupulous shopkeepers have been known to give an incorrect bunch of bills as change, in the hope that the tourist does not count their change on the spot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Where to stay? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For tourists on a short holiday, best to stick to the District 1 area, as this is where most of the sights are. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to be at the heart of Saigon's commercial area, and like colonial architecture, best to stay at the expensive, historic hotels along Dong Khoi St., such as The Continental, The Grand, The Majestic (overlooks Saigon River), The Rex and The Caravelle. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITbmbKqVKFHZEK7rpq3St0djXOaLAsmfXxBo2FR5yZzQHNwQm8wZ1_0FDa-TzlreRGROdVLKGK2wTmfrVYkdN8QmNUUuOljAUm3xr_4EJ3ofR-PQAiBUB73-vU3zpw6TGdTJ3/s1600/HCMC+-+Grand+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITbmbKqVKFHZEK7rpq3St0djXOaLAsmfXxBo2FR5yZzQHNwQm8wZ1_0FDa-TzlreRGROdVLKGK2wTmfrVYkdN8QmNUUuOljAUm3xr_4EJ3ofR-PQAiBUB73-vU3zpw6TGdTJ3/s400/HCMC+-+Grand+Hotel.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57JxVTp5qILlkBMcq2S36ByW6hHrMMYtWCqXoBzI_gG-Sd_gPr69fMQh6BPDKT8v_svMWByHxn9VruaqbsaPkeFsq0A-KnGEvtMk1vdeTG8vLI5sFpqtZGg6u7vx9Pvzc91jH/s1600/HCMC+-+Hotel+Continental.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57JxVTp5qILlkBMcq2S36ByW6hHrMMYtWCqXoBzI_gG-Sd_gPr69fMQh6BPDKT8v_svMWByHxn9VruaqbsaPkeFsq0A-KnGEvtMk1vdeTG8vLI5sFpqtZGg6u7vx9Pvzc91jH/s400/HCMC+-+Hotel+Continental.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For a more down-to-earth and cheaper and convenient experience, i'd recommend staying at the area surrounding Ben Thanh market (generally referred to as <i>"Ben Nghe"</i>). Lots of good eats and shops around; and walking distance to the main sights, too. I stayed at the Silverland Yen Hotel for this trip, which i heartily recommend. The room was nice (way nicer than i expected), the staff very friendly, and the rates reasonable. Dig their facade below :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUmQj7MH5KEG0UXiRWSo-fyKGK6CW4Am2DI5aelxAJCAUbtv7j58v7wxr5ZaOtlu7mcWqtjx57xYEH7SDgz_DgMp9MfVh6H2YV63ApujtmGQEFmFRgB-pp3IHBMtghfdLjIJf/s1600/HCMC+-+Silverland+Yen+hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUmQj7MH5KEG0UXiRWSo-fyKGK6CW4Am2DI5aelxAJCAUbtv7j58v7wxr5ZaOtlu7mcWqtjx57xYEH7SDgz_DgMp9MfVh6H2YV63ApujtmGQEFmFRgB-pp3IHBMtghfdLjIJf/s400/HCMC+-+Silverland+Yen+hotel.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Check their website at <a href="http://www.silverlandhotels.com/">www.silverlandhotels.com</a> for the full list of hotels under their group. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Getting around </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grab and Uber are active in Saigon, especially their motorbike service. After all, there are lots more motorbikes in this city (one estimate placed it at 4 million) than cars (1 million). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnph0RlbNxdDmSjFSFnbAQ46cm69cXioS_24TePBF71-rb7bVA4jMXnPPpetgDUeWq8wa_ih4rdmYIbPPKlLHdJ8q8fVCDUMVkKb-q2A_EUvoJWM3BDrHGEn7zcZAi_GaJ0UrU/s1600/HCMC+-+Grab+%2526+Uber.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnph0RlbNxdDmSjFSFnbAQ46cm69cXioS_24TePBF71-rb7bVA4jMXnPPpetgDUeWq8wa_ih4rdmYIbPPKlLHdJ8q8fVCDUMVkKb-q2A_EUvoJWM3BDrHGEn7zcZAi_GaJ0UrU/s400/HCMC+-+Grab+%2526+Uber.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> As for taxis, the recommended companies are Mai Linh (all <span style="color: #274e13;">green</span> in color) and Vinasun (white color with <span style="color: #990000;">red</span> and <span style="color: #274e13;">green </span>horizontal stripes, plus their logo). The drivers of both companies typically wear a uniform with a tie, and
should have an ID card on the dashboard. Apparently, there are<span class="notetip"> fake taxis
roaming the streets, with similar-sounding names such as Vinasum. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOBIc9yo-CbU9xpUAKjCR2zjd2xiQs0DS5rvWeey9S6hKMGkiNo2-GrXBk2a20qZHIlK_UWLvp9tvQEy54M1-ROKmLw-bq93DKSJzhOeStiN-_OIfhgDdvH6G9GgdIRM4j7iB/s1600/HCMC+-+Taxi+Mai+Linh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOBIc9yo-CbU9xpUAKjCR2zjd2xiQs0DS5rvWeey9S6hKMGkiNo2-GrXBk2a20qZHIlK_UWLvp9tvQEy54M1-ROKmLw-bq93DKSJzhOeStiN-_OIfhgDdvH6G9GgdIRM4j7iB/s400/HCMC+-+Taxi+Mai+Linh.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2lQUAdm1T5dtDxKJTFGRrcyvaC5SsLOmRox9k3k1-iq0IlHIxf_yEBdWCfV1d96FVK3f4D9XG0PFWn5sOKoPE5WEWc1xv_Nb64gPkN7jkfh3VaJ0VJiSxr1gX06otxvE4zy-/s1600/HCMC+-+Taxi+Vinasun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2lQUAdm1T5dtDxKJTFGRrcyvaC5SsLOmRox9k3k1-iq0IlHIxf_yEBdWCfV1d96FVK3f4D9XG0PFWn5sOKoPE5WEWc1xv_Nb64gPkN7jkfh3VaJ0VJiSxr1gX06otxvE4zy-/s400/HCMC+-+Taxi+Vinasun.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 5. Crossing the street</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Obviously a full battalion of motorbikes heading in one's direction is not a very reassuring sight. But the key thing to do is to walk slowly, resolutely in small steps FORWARD. DO NOT DO THE CHA CHA (i.e. 2 steps forward, then 1 step backwards, etc.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Believe me, as long as you do what i said above, these motorbikes will go around you and you won't get hit. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The thing to watch out for are motorbikes who (illegally) run on the sidewalks, like below: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hn0JQxDTfJyPbi0IGZq-Bu9enkxAcQdjc5x2rSPllqGcULS-7wMDPqTAGoCLpQ4RZkV6HtgaTCHZUAKdOOxjLBZMRnXK39OfFsdJWlp1gcFbhq1IX2TrV3jyRuOY2-2Kj9D7/s1600/HCMC+-+motorcycles+on+sidewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hn0JQxDTfJyPbi0IGZq-Bu9enkxAcQdjc5x2rSPllqGcULS-7wMDPqTAGoCLpQ4RZkV6HtgaTCHZUAKdOOxjLBZMRnXK39OfFsdJWlp1gcFbhq1IX2TrV3jyRuOY2-2Kj9D7/s400/HCMC+-+motorcycles+on+sidewalk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Cheap eats</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Walking distance from my hotel was the Ben Thanh Street Food Market, which provides a wide array of fairly cheap food in a covered food court style setting. On certain nights, a live band plays covers of popular hit songs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj7roE23IKkHQ-xsKiqxi2GaeZVARvvAXiKs4qgqJXHLPXTvh28bS4T6hehuZaxfkJZrrCeR28ubJT_cDv97_wnfBcmYwKDlD1HUBv1mbg8v8YeYXhgjaNVE8DqEyh7l2zj_D/s1600/HCMC+-+Ben+Thanh+street+food+market.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj7roE23IKkHQ-xsKiqxi2GaeZVARvvAXiKs4qgqJXHLPXTvh28bS4T6hehuZaxfkJZrrCeR28ubJT_cDv97_wnfBcmYwKDlD1HUBv1mbg8v8YeYXhgjaNVE8DqEyh7l2zj_D/s400/HCMC+-+Ben+Thanh+street+food+market.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This mural is the bomb!!!! :D :D </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dXODaTm9dTa3b6N7nwCI8dS8EFDJBdug8_RQi8Dwy6D0uK5UG7_wQlzgjNxGLUjcg9u_BcTbF66MP7jJuKw3t1i23RyvQewncFd5UKMN315CpLiaI7KbquTbzL1YKxqCWcHU/s1600/HCMC+-+Ben+Thanh+mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dXODaTm9dTa3b6N7nwCI8dS8EFDJBdug8_RQi8Dwy6D0uK5UG7_wQlzgjNxGLUjcg9u_BcTbF66MP7jJuKw3t1i23RyvQewncFd5UKMN315CpLiaI7KbquTbzL1YKxqCWcHU/s640/HCMC+-+Ben+Thanh+mural.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When people talk of Vietnamese food, the first dish that comes to mind is <i>pho, </i>essentially noodle soup <span>typically made from beef stock and
spices, with thinly sliced beef or chicken added.</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>A word or two about this. As the guide Dao told me, the correct way to pronounce is not<i> "phooow", </i>but more like <i>"faaaahh [soft h]". </i>Also, do yourself a favor and avoid eating at big chains such as Pho 24, Pho 2000 and Pho Hung. Instead, patronize the local places for a more tasty, authentic experience. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span>7. Safety </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span>The main tourist areas in District 1 (Dong Khoi St., Ben Thanh, Nguyen Hue St., Le Loi St., etc.) are generally safe. But of course, keep your wits about you and leave the fine jewelry at home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span>And as much as possible, do not walk around holding your mobile phone in your hand. Especially the area around Ben Thanh market, as the bedlamity is strong in this one. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span>Lastly, do not entertain touts who offer 'cheap' motorcycle rides to wherever is your destination. These may end in tears.</span></span></div>
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grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-57760139731150846112017-12-08T07:05:00.002-08:002017-12-08T07:05:50.209-08:00SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM IN SAIGON: (Part 1) What To Do<span style="font-size: large;">Just got back last week from Ho Chi Minh city (more charmingly known by its old name Saigon). Had a blast! Lovely city, with a great variety of food options.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First-time visitors usually stay for a few days and do the rounds of the usual tourist spots such as Ben Thanh market (say: <i>'rip-off'</i>), War Remnants Museum (too macabre), Post Office, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral (definitely not copied from the one in Paris :D), Cu Chi tunnels, Water Puppet show (haven't tried it though - did hear it's nothing special), etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, for second-timers like me, what exactly is there to do? Well, aside from hanging around cafes and eating street food all day long, here's some suggestions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Join a local walking tour </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're the type who likes walking around and having an in-depth knowledge of the city, this is the perfect thing to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjaOCt1V-Hv77Acc3xbThDq0vkr05M1qUM4F_dHRkbfzigAECbGfTIWp4fKsTP_lR1YQ29ncwhZo2EET6q77XHdeyXAxa_pH9z8b5lUalJuZxZsfODZxRHZhUxfifruUlwGqS/s1600/HCMC+-+Post+office.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjaOCt1V-Hv77Acc3xbThDq0vkr05M1qUM4F_dHRkbfzigAECbGfTIWp4fKsTP_lR1YQ29ncwhZo2EET6q77XHdeyXAxa_pH9z8b5lUalJuZxZsfODZxRHZhUxfifruUlwGqS/s640/HCMC+-+Post+office.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
Lovely post office building<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tried the <a href="http://www.oldcompasstravel.com/tours/saigon-tales-of-the-city/" target="_blank">Tales of the City tour by Old Compass Travel</a>, and highly recommend it. The guide, Ms. Duong, proved to be interesting and passionate with sharing history, but without making one's head spin with too much info. She specialized in showing photos on her tablet of how buildings looked in the past, and what they were used for, compared to present day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This walk does NOT enter any museums (perfect for those allergic to museums, hehe! :D). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also tried the <a href="http://www.detouredasia.com/tour/saigon-graffiti-and-street-art-walking-tour/" target="_blank">Graffiti and Street Art walking tour of Detoured Asia</a>. It turned out to be less about graffiti and street art (i think we only had 2 stops of it), but more of checking out interesting spots such as the Cafe Apartment at Saigon's walking street Nguyen Hue [more on this on a separate post later on], a local market (yes, Ben Thanh is for tourists who want to get ripped off :D), etc. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2tfMQ-DUtFTEOw8ADgtLZybgkSMr2zMtVFWs6nac3UFOL7JP04xBQnZ74SHmbgX3uUHE0WfW6CSr14eXVKHMKqglKQiUMknt24Pe_2b4_steBpjew74ceCyghjJLI0FT2LQ7/s1600/HCMC+-+Street+art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2tfMQ-DUtFTEOw8ADgtLZybgkSMr2zMtVFWs6nac3UFOL7JP04xBQnZ74SHmbgX3uUHE0WfW6CSr14eXVKHMKqglKQiUMknt24Pe_2b4_steBpjew74ceCyghjJLI0FT2LQ7/s400/HCMC+-+Street+art.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
Street art off Le Than Thonh St. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the guide Dao was such nice, charming company. She studies Tourism in university, and does tours on the side. I was actually sad our tour had to end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another option for art lovers is the acclaimed <a href="http://sophiesarttour.com/" target="_blank">Sophie's Art Tour</a>, which melds art and history.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Join a motorcycle tour </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure friends of mine are laughing, since they know i don't know how to ride any type of bike; and that i have never ever ridden a motorcycle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, when in Saigon, do as the Saigonese do, <i>diba</i>? :D Despite my fears of falling off the bike (or getting hit by a car or another motorbike), i sucked it up and join the <a href="https://xotours.vn/tours/vietnam-food-tour.html" target="_blank">Foodie Tour of XO Tours</a>. Why them? Well, the foodie tour takes you to different districts of Saigon you would not normally go to (most tourist sights / malls / restaurants / hotels are in District 1). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXUCIYGWe684aOAMUEhIcBu465Fmgcbi9zV2_NuOxPlDq_VU_0BB5y6rUJWMKwtj_eZyG0LQBWiiUCvW-ny_bhhPskP-kKlW5MW_SuChLhm5-U2ljZ8fvEQc5LGHjoTH_zshj/s1600/HCMC+-+Motorcycle+tour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXUCIYGWe684aOAMUEhIcBu465Fmgcbi9zV2_NuOxPlDq_VU_0BB5y6rUJWMKwtj_eZyG0LQBWiiUCvW-ny_bhhPskP-kKlW5MW_SuChLhm5-U2ljZ8fvEQc5LGHjoTH_zshj/s640/HCMC+-+Motorcycle+tour.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Random customer hanging on for dear life </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The unique selling point of XO is that all their drivers are female (hold those jokes, okay?!), wearing the traditional elegant<i> ao dai. </i>I'll write about the experience in a separate post, so stay tuned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another reputable motorbike tour operator is <a href="http://vespaadventures.com/our-tours/" target="_blank">Vespa Adventures</a>, for those folks who want to experience scooting around on a, yes, Vespa. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Go to <a href="http://spasaigon.com/" target="_blank">L'Apothiquaire Spa</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of spas (some legit, some dubious-looking) in District 1 area, near the hotels. But for the full spa experience, nothing beats the main branch of L'Apothiquaire at District 3. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHL5Bz7qoBnnFkeKNLhE0mqNsVUItlYJm-KiM_1c41iwFm8jaNnRHOOlLAsSaFHQmmp69Tg2onUAJpCrbEctgtF9P_bC7uRI0yBirW9jG5mQim-mpNhyo3qxS96Rr_tM-X8E8/s1600/HCMC+-+L%2527Apothiquaire+entrance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHL5Bz7qoBnnFkeKNLhE0mqNsVUItlYJm-KiM_1c41iwFm8jaNnRHOOlLAsSaFHQmmp69Tg2onUAJpCrbEctgtF9P_bC7uRI0yBirW9jG5mQim-mpNhyo3qxS96Rr_tM-X8E8/s640/HCMC+-+L%2527Apothiquaire+entrance.jpg" width="360" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enter the tree-lined path and you'll reach a colonial mansion set on sprawling grounds. A oval-shaped pool is available for those wanting a dip. Inside, as one walks to the treatment rooms, one can't help notice the graceful stairs and elegant floor tiles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiJKIFZPJt0OesISnJtoGmaeXnVebHsTZnI9LB7UKf9ug5bfTJkrJiV-ZsfyF-1KpMfB_u7J2SyEyLlMHFF0dnIQWeoax_wLJiJrkQqVzO9kXAPPOB_M1ib8d85IiDq4AQFI8/s1600/HCMC+-+L%2527Apothiquaire+pool.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiJKIFZPJt0OesISnJtoGmaeXnVebHsTZnI9LB7UKf9ug5bfTJkrJiV-ZsfyF-1KpMfB_u7J2SyEyLlMHFF0dnIQWeoax_wLJiJrkQqVzO9kXAPPOB_M1ib8d85IiDq4AQFI8/s640/HCMC+-+L%2527Apothiquaire+pool.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Address: 64A Truong Dinh, District 3. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tel: +848 3932 5181</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Go further afield </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vietnam is obviously much more than Saigon. So time (and finances) permitting, exploring other parts of the country such as Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Phu Quoc, etc. are great options. Check out the comprehensive site <a href="https://www.rustycompass.com/about" target="_blank">Rusty Compass </a>for independent reviews and recommendations -- for Cambodia and Laos as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In our next post of this series (yikes, i just realized i'm committing to write a number of posts hehe :D), we'll talk about some essential info, such as where to stay, how to get around, etc.</span><br />
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<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-33617174277598989632017-01-28T06:49:00.000-08:002017-01-28T06:55:28.864-08:00Bandar Seri Begawan (Part 3): Good Eats <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I forgot to mention that the main reason we were in Brunei was to compete in a sports event. Basically, my teammates took care of the winning (gold and silver in their respective events), whilst i focused on the eating (arrangements, that is) :D </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm actually pleased as punch that we got to have some good eats, considering we were just in BSB for 4D3N!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's some of the memorable meals we had: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Alter Ego Fusion Cafe </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHTr-Xkge33-jrZX71swfPD1ntXfi3YcTdxAIgG09nbypCZL2e33Ku691KTQvo0OZcWc3CVbICdcFQVJnGj4-PwhcUxiwRz4hHb-ahCkr9F-cbB5FarGo-gNxUSDarwQ5ObZG/s1600/Brunei+Food2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHTr-Xkge33-jrZX71swfPD1ntXfi3YcTdxAIgG09nbypCZL2e33Ku691KTQvo0OZcWc3CVbICdcFQVJnGj4-PwhcUxiwRz4hHb-ahCkr9F-cbB5FarGo-gNxUSDarwQ5ObZG/s400/Brunei+Food2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We literally stumbled upon this new (just 2 months old), gorgeous-looking cafe, having gotten lost looking for another restaurant (more on this later) and were super famished. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CWz1H8iynyrTfAeB-8xSk5DzDtQUdw92G7f9j1knEmh8RrhIKCbs3302ZOkbLbKtlpYEKEYPKIBaA3DWy7Yxlybk-AQlgnV9RsjvVhKLpJZIBa_co3NN7nH4DvQSRFhrGoT6/s1600/Brunei+Food3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CWz1H8iynyrTfAeB-8xSk5DzDtQUdw92G7f9j1knEmh8RrhIKCbs3302ZOkbLbKtlpYEKEYPKIBaA3DWy7Yxlybk-AQlgnV9RsjvVhKLpJZIBa_co3NN7nH4DvQSRFhrGoT6/s400/Brunei+Food3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The interiors were pretty interesting. Eclectic. Here below is their <i>piece de resistance. </i>I don't know about you, but in an instant, i felt like i was transported to a cafe in Amsterdam. I love this love this love this. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAEdvrzTLluaz53Ph7971loiQU1qKXyEE85_hsl8X8qxNnqLEfM9GnlFC0hs5IgDlNYI21qNKfqbA7AE3YodEVxk_6WsAuK8QvP3ot3ngtR7B5_t1xVoVhWLKtAsmXsiXVspl/s1600/Brunei+Food1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAEdvrzTLluaz53Ph7971loiQU1qKXyEE85_hsl8X8qxNnqLEfM9GnlFC0hs5IgDlNYI21qNKfqbA7AE3YodEVxk_6WsAuK8QvP3ot3ngtR7B5_t1xVoVhWLKtAsmXsiXVspl/s400/Brunei+Food1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their food was pretty good, too! We ordered some rice bowls, which proved to be quite filling; as well as the Chicken Wings appetizer, full of flavour and nicely presented. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFYBHY8X4hxGOVqXKSEsXV7rhSfg2wKag1u8OxZXzVtsScHs6FUpKY-DOacB3xbNM94maBs6-MY-C4rZl5-HT0plBT76rlDVwdLsM5zyP_A_MKDCIoAqBnEQhRExe484QeDsD/s1600/Brunei+Food4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFYBHY8X4hxGOVqXKSEsXV7rhSfg2wKag1u8OxZXzVtsScHs6FUpKY-DOacB3xbNM94maBs6-MY-C4rZl5-HT0plBT76rlDVwdLsM5zyP_A_MKDCIoAqBnEQhRExe484QeDsD/s400/Brunei+Food4a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WIjVyPEaUcFIi9nO2ZkbzUWpN4iDN_Ay1AzMdKqYXgu-qgLaFnNMNYv8KkRhR5fP8w-pUah1Q3tgpu-a6AvTT1lf9oK_LdLlT0fhSNoLaVGJvuM5RQ9re3FG1THMSGSK7MVI/s1600/Brunei+Food5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WIjVyPEaUcFIi9nO2ZkbzUWpN4iDN_Ay1AzMdKqYXgu-qgLaFnNMNYv8KkRhR5fP8w-pUah1Q3tgpu-a6AvTT1lf9oK_LdLlT0fhSNoLaVGJvuM5RQ9re3FG1THMSGSK7MVI/s400/Brunei+Food5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8qrSfvfYQfbWmYvJsUkcXlWUN3xMWkfNl4cVvrssp3l-5myO2Ake2sqlispjEn1dU7zxE7heW1-m6q0sq3FP0VpAr1F0aZyC6c0Xyjv26n3qq9rcxIKGinaqF5NlX1xFAAvs/s1600/Brunei+Food4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8qrSfvfYQfbWmYvJsUkcXlWUN3xMWkfNl4cVvrssp3l-5myO2Ake2sqlispjEn1dU7zxE7heW1-m6q0sq3FP0VpAr1F0aZyC6c0Xyjv26n3qq9rcxIKGinaqF5NlX1xFAAvs/s400/Brunei+Food4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 2. Sate House</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, this was the resto we were looking for! Our taxi driver couldn't find it (despite calling the resto 3X), hence we ended up at Alter Ego. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJuE4URiaERMdVYXOzK-704f1xziKQ0xUh79GNQLegJ-gF1XuWnMCk07BKrYL3hip4IK3iNSWM0kBXniGmcuwuE8cXsbJZEOhyx9lUP3TW3gITecALeZ2EM5cgAHN-SlloPuO/s1600/Brunei+Food7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJuE4URiaERMdVYXOzK-704f1xziKQ0xUh79GNQLegJ-gF1XuWnMCk07BKrYL3hip4IK3iNSWM0kBXniGmcuwuE8cXsbJZEOhyx9lUP3TW3gITecALeZ2EM5cgAHN-SlloPuO/s640/Brunei+Food7.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Undaunted, we tried again the next night. And this time, our taxi driver "Uncle" [check his calling card in my previous post] easily found it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ordered the ff: <i>Ayam Bakar</i> (Grilled chicken marinated in homemade sauce), which looked good and was finger-licking good! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYanmD6XyXKN3AXTQqzS_7lfqFEz5pB09IEsQ5BuS2MT02YG_QHHOJzyjAnt81MC33GGIJ8HCI7GsK8k3b6VvYEg_MtZPV5EXGSs_6a3N4mM2pFFnJ05ngY6VheWt4_7jaMeI/s1600/Brunei+Food6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYanmD6XyXKN3AXTQqzS_7lfqFEz5pB09IEsQ5BuS2MT02YG_QHHOJzyjAnt81MC33GGIJ8HCI7GsK8k3b6VvYEg_MtZPV5EXGSs_6a3N4mM2pFFnJ05ngY6VheWt4_7jaMeI/s400/Brunei+Food6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Sate Kambing </i>(Lamb Satay) was delicious, too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdw0BPQlMWB5jSECfVSCBsR2eaQ2KW5U4cIPNLkNgUGVpBPPtyaO1pmUg0dZlLCuGSg_rThGk2dmpODsIePl83T42RARQDZMl4I-9ggpB0UsOJEatzCXGklbDDXvXuxmxaUYZ/s1600/Brunei+Food7B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdw0BPQlMWB5jSECfVSCBsR2eaQ2KW5U4cIPNLkNgUGVpBPPtyaO1pmUg0dZlLCuGSg_rThGk2dmpODsIePl83T42RARQDZMl4I-9ggpB0UsOJEatzCXGklbDDXvXuxmxaUYZ/s400/Brunei+Food7B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the best dish, IMHO, was the beef ribs (sorry, forgot the local name). Falling off the bone tender!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEl_5HM3KTaK3AXfT6xBCS40h67R1OuL0sM41B6KbWEtP0a-Ekf-aUrCKHQSQpbr3_j3e3n4vfjcxI1cTKEUaDGEtWOhvix5TpQdO5ncNeiNWE4QerUG_mAkzkyiWWoPN_44K/s1600/Brunei+Food7C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEl_5HM3KTaK3AXfT6xBCS40h67R1OuL0sM41B6KbWEtP0a-Ekf-aUrCKHQSQpbr3_j3e3n4vfjcxI1cTKEUaDGEtWOhvix5TpQdO5ncNeiNWE4QerUG_mAkzkyiWWoPN_44K/s400/Brunei+Food7C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Kaizen Sushi</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before the trip, i checked out reviews of local restos and Kaizen Sushi tended to be described as the most posh Japanese resto in BSB. Which meant we had to visit it :D </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Location was along along the waterfront of the Brunei River (not that there's a lot to see on the river), and it looked every inch a classy joint. Spiral staircase led to the main dining areas; and upon our request, the staff graciously allowed us to seat at a <i>tatami </i>table. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ordered a lot of food (the hungry athletes that we were *cough*). Salmon sashimi always hits the spot. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOz8RJmYGEKtFNiRRNctdHXq8c_YDBOL65kS5UB-7qDb2oJFV4jwRvqe7OKXg6_ZqJWDF5qIg18RhglTkHWIdeRCwsf_msu2qwA6_-9-HbrBHNt78nJbSXxkQH3HE0mFSAsiXD/s1600/Brunei+Food9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOz8RJmYGEKtFNiRRNctdHXq8c_YDBOL65kS5UB-7qDb2oJFV4jwRvqe7OKXg6_ZqJWDF5qIg18RhglTkHWIdeRCwsf_msu2qwA6_-9-HbrBHNt78nJbSXxkQH3HE0mFSAsiXD/s400/Brunei+Food9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spider rolls proved to be crunchy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beef with pepper sauce. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Classic Ebi tempura. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KAEkw_CzMP4aYni2gmHkpICh0E08leIYkpOll1OiZYYzatj55qBGn5vAwXgvI3H36RUJ3RZytUeRLq7jIavh2q5JJd-kIYK0-HDOAQ5sXcRrbiz86NQBXcmv4oj0jxz2HU89/s1600/Brunei+Food13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KAEkw_CzMP4aYni2gmHkpICh0E08leIYkpOll1OiZYYzatj55qBGn5vAwXgvI3H36RUJ3RZytUeRLq7jIavh2q5JJd-kIYK0-HDOAQ5sXcRrbiz86NQBXcmv4oj0jxz2HU89/s400/Brunei+Food13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beef rolls with vegetables. Extremely good. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kamameshi rice. It takes around 20 minutes to cook at the table. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, here's all of us looking famished despite eating all that food. ;-D</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5whjtzRNiEjcba-RcpDssYfyjvHRV4WTAUnHS3KRyBt9VMBU7Rui3TpVG22QNu8ggXa53E1HE9DDHM7HubUOXNbyEq__414UsRATpjYGWYksyKa7tKyp7WD8biPKXmcB9Jowd/s1600/Brunei+dinner+at+Kaizen+Sushi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5whjtzRNiEjcba-RcpDssYfyjvHRV4WTAUnHS3KRyBt9VMBU7Rui3TpVG22QNu8ggXa53E1HE9DDHM7HubUOXNbyEq__414UsRATpjYGWYksyKa7tKyp7WD8biPKXmcB9Jowd/s400/Brunei+dinner+at+Kaizen+Sushi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite its high-end reputation, i felt the prices at Kaizen Sushi can be considered reasonable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Piccolo Cafe</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took a leisurely post-prandial walk along the waterfront, and came upon this cafe. This was amongst the cafes recommended to me by local food/coffee blogger <a href="http://www.coffeegirlbn.wordpress.com/">Coffee Girl BN. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their mascot is so cute, no? Piccolo is known for its specialty, the Lavender Latte (below). Basically regular cafe latte with some bits of lavender on the top. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMsPy3uIpWP1Zq2fbZmr7CsTWqqxUs3eKx7rd3xYKSMKI0ZyE95RUuqb2zEUlTCilKdvFq9SJ82_CXgFJLyO_ox6WD2imO6QCHxpVJLQz4UdIN_0-V-IIC4EcyZ8uBpHzSmjG/s1600/Brunei+Food17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMsPy3uIpWP1Zq2fbZmr7CsTWqqxUs3eKx7rd3xYKSMKI0ZyE95RUuqb2zEUlTCilKdvFq9SJ82_CXgFJLyO_ox6WD2imO6QCHxpVJLQz4UdIN_0-V-IIC4EcyZ8uBpHzSmjG/s320/Brunei+Food17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lavender taste is subtle (no, you won't feel as though you were drinking lavender lotion), and it wasn't too sweet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their waffle and New York style cheesecake are good options to go with your coffee as well. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKd4UCgqNLssNS7vSuH9drbOkf02xyefaewxBlAK-d6Q_WmkhQM2jViQEt-rz4ehu17Yt95JxbKtgI2qJJMfmwiN_gK0k0zE-p6rMsD9tRVSVlDB9jqEStbRmFpsOeH6-V_BA/s1600/Brunei+Food18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKd4UCgqNLssNS7vSuH9drbOkf02xyefaewxBlAK-d6Q_WmkhQM2jViQEt-rz4ehu17Yt95JxbKtgI2qJJMfmwiN_gK0k0zE-p6rMsD9tRVSVlDB9jqEStbRmFpsOeH6-V_BA/s400/Brunei+Food18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sate House Brunei </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">IG: satehouse.bn</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kaizen Sushi</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">FB: Kaizen-Sushi-Japanese-Restaurant-Waterfront-BSB</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Piccolo Cafe</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">IG: piccolocafebn</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alter Ego Fusion </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">FB: alteregofoods </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Coffee Girl BN </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">IG: coffeegirlbn</span><br />
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grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-30875212058151084502017-01-20T06:34:00.001-08:002017-01-20T06:34:23.013-08:00Bandar Seri Begawan (Part 2): Teksi!! <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to sugarcoat it. If you're an independent tourist in BSB, getting around can be quite a pain. Why? There are hardly any options for public transport. Buses are available, but rather infrequent. No subway or tricycles or other means, so the only recourse was to take taxis <i>("teksi"). </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, as i had mentioned in my earlier post, there are only 40 official taxis in the entire country. So, if your idea is to stand on a street corner and hail a passing cab, good luck. You will be standing there for eternity, my friend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what to do? Here was what we did to get around this inconvenience. We always asked our hotel front desk to call us a taxi in advance, since it would take 20 - 30 minutes for one to arrive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, once we were on the way, we asked the driver for his card so we could have him pick us up at a later time. (Sometimes, it was the driver himself who volunteered his card) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here was one taxi driver i heartily recommend (check his card below). "Uncle" drove us for 2 consecutive nights; he was on time, he was very knowledgeable about directions; and his service was exemplary. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY4We7T8NSgyYtwgfnYH1fnbpiIGcFhqUXUfs8DmpkdmEJtvGQyZYpUdcs4TPYu1QfQnhDhvBtWdGdHyiUxwWuLXABDkTKLQCpHWSLTrB8PHXRSi8Y2vWuxu9hBUyEejaA352/s1600/Brunei+teksi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY4We7T8NSgyYtwgfnYH1fnbpiIGcFhqUXUfs8DmpkdmEJtvGQyZYpUdcs4TPYu1QfQnhDhvBtWdGdHyiUxwWuLXABDkTKLQCpHWSLTrB8PHXRSi8Y2vWuxu9hBUyEejaA352/s400/Brunei+teksi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once you are finished with dinner or hanging out in a coffee shop, and are preparing to leave, just give the card to the staff and ask them to call for the taxi. This way, you save on having to make a call from your (on international roaming) mobile phone. :-D</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for our next post on some of the restaurants we tried in BSB! </span><br />
grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-70912536159175376322017-01-15T07:26:00.000-08:002017-01-15T07:34:32.543-08:00Bandar Seri Begawan (Part 1): Exploring Around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let me say right off the bat that Bandar Seri Begawan (capital of the tiny country of Brunei) has never been on any of my travel lists, or bucket list or whatever. So i'm as surprised as you that i actually went for a brief visit to this place recently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some fast facts: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Their currency is the Brunei Dollar (BND). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. They are ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. He has an outsized presence in this country. Aside from being the Prime Minister, he is concurrently Defense Minister, Finance Minister, AND the head of the church of Islam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Oil and gas industry accounts for some 80% of their GDP. Shell has a monopoly here, with their joint venture with the government having a 50-50 percent revenue-sharing arrangement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. NO personal income taxes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. There are only 40 official licensed taxis in the entire country (yes, 40). More on this in a later post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Being a Muslim country, no nightlife and no alcohol (although i read online that some restaurants offer 'special tea' [wink, wink]). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We booked a half-day city tour with the leading operator in Brunei, <a href="http://www.freme.com/">Freme Travel.</a> Our guide, Mr. Zul (let's hope i spelled his name correctly) duly picked us up at our hotel on time; and off we went to our first stop: The <b>Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2Iawpmu8eZEYgGlrf60CfPMeo3W6I0sOywEU4vsRt3oGu6nmeVgiT5qDwfvHd4PWPAFzc8uxnW18K40XqCoGRjI-U52HBly_2X6-J8z-bccxj43EdzpACdQpOQY-s07-hQYQ/s1600/Brunei+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2Iawpmu8eZEYgGlrf60CfPMeo3W6I0sOywEU4vsRt3oGu6nmeVgiT5qDwfvHd4PWPAFzc8uxnW18K40XqCoGRjI-U52HBly_2X6-J8z-bccxj43EdzpACdQpOQY-s07-hQYQ/s400/Brunei+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Standing at the parking lot and gazing up to that golden dome and pillars, it really looked awe-inspiring. Apparently, this was the new main mosque - described by Mr. Zul as a gift of His Highness Sultan Bolkiah to the citizens of the country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a closer look as we went towards the entrance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The mosque is closed to non-Muslims on Thursdays and Fridays (Friday is considered their holy day, and all establishments are mandated to close during the period 12:00 NN to 2:00 PM)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvFwtxzFuAns1LyqyZjhiLVkcbhHq-ACQV9AS8bj4rICbfV4LgQSQFO8V1C1vkMX0qe4vHgHRU42_3aKLAEy8L9H2LERaQvcT1fXraqlxsZfvKZXqPXNr4RDBcjSBCrblD9X6/s1600/Brunei+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvFwtxzFuAns1LyqyZjhiLVkcbhHq-ACQV9AS8bj4rICbfV4LgQSQFO8V1C1vkMX0qe4vHgHRU42_3aKLAEy8L9H2LERaQvcT1fXraqlxsZfvKZXqPXNr4RDBcjSBCrblD9X6/s400/Brunei+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Photography is prohibited inside, so this was the farthest point where we have photos. Also, visitors who are not properly attired (meaning shorts/skirts/sleeveless tops/etc.) have to wear a black robe for modesty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Suffice to say, the main prayer hall and other parts
were extremely impressive. No expense seemed to have been spared. Mr.
Zul waxed poetic, and pointed out that the huge chandeliers came from Austria; the white marble on the floor from Italy; the thick narra wooden door from the Philippines, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was impudent enough to ask how much this whole thing cost. Mr. Zul averted his eyes slightly, and replied that no one really knew - it was kept secret. But the rumour was that this mosque cost around USD400 million. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whew! That's some serious cash. But my friend Ricky and i agreed it was well worth it and seemed reasonable enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Outside, we passed by this winsome fountain on the way back to our vehicle. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVmDV62jJmYkCwNQRMa5c4Jrw61RWiDhei8lstmw9hRcBCDK61xbZXDx7PAW_xZx7nh8egkN6Yqe52E9frz7F_AByUoaHdnvq7lW_v1Ccr5DvMFodOjXP9erJF35wBX61a689/s1600/Brunei+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVmDV62jJmYkCwNQRMa5c4Jrw61RWiDhei8lstmw9hRcBCDK61xbZXDx7PAW_xZx7nh8egkN6Yqe52E9frz7F_AByUoaHdnvq7lW_v1Ccr5DvMFodOjXP9erJF35wBX61a689/s400/Brunei+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Second stop was the Sultan's Palace, known officially as <b>Istana Nurul Iman.</b> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To be more accurate, we were actually visiting the gate of the palace, as it is only open 3 days in a year, after their Hari Raya festival. The rest of the year, proletariat like you and me just peek over the grills of the gate. (Yes, leaping over the gate did cross our mind, hahaha!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to Mr. Zul, the palace has over a thousand rooms, so it is an immense compound. Incidentally, his security force has 2 Blackhawk helicopters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the few days it is open, anyone can go inside with no need for an invitation. One simply had to dress up a bit; and partake of a sumptuous buffet, shake hands with His Royal Highness, and take home a souvenir, to boot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next was the <b>Royal Regalia Museum</b>, which focuses on the royal family. Exhibited were various gifts received by the sultan from other heads of state, as well as ceremonial attire, and a replica of the main ceremonial hall of the royal palace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below was the carriage used during the induction as Sultan. Incidentally, this year marks the 50th year of his rule, so Mr. Zul said some festivities will definitely be in order. (<i>"Without alcohol, of course"</i> - i quipped in my mind ;-D)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0VtVDv7w6gmF9aqhZsQWMK8mF5V-fVjP90jEA9Bed9S5RIn48Y_w9XHbVIq7HgHBgAHlUEAUvgABKQlxu5x9eg9JC38jKmaI5BXR7MbDb4MLdkalJrgrpBjpo0iLxCBQ7Go1/s1600/Brunei+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0VtVDv7w6gmF9aqhZsQWMK8mF5V-fVjP90jEA9Bed9S5RIn48Y_w9XHbVIq7HgHBgAHlUEAUvgABKQlxu5x9eg9JC38jKmaI5BXR7MbDb4MLdkalJrgrpBjpo0iLxCBQ7Go1/s400/Brunei+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Next, we went to the <b>Malay Technology Museum</b>. which proved to be interesting, yet was a total misnomer. Its name suggested some high-tech, space-age museum. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, it exhibited the life during pre-oil age Brunei, where the citizens were living mainly on wooden houses on stilts built right on the river (i.e. water villages, or known as<i> Kampong Ayer). </i>Mr. Zul himself lived in the water village, and dispelled our notion that it was unsafe and unsanitary (apparently it now comes equipped with electricity, plumbing and Wi-Fi!); and he pointed out it was actually very convenient, as well as cheap (no rent!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last stop was a brief phot op outside the older mosque, <b>Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. </b>Lovely, isn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Please stay tuned for the second part of this series, Getting Around BSB!</span></div>
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<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-70554202492836419602016-12-17T08:03:00.000-08:002016-12-17T08:03:34.895-08:00OVEREATING IN GUANGZHOU: TIGER PRAWN VIETNAMESE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSt4ZCkugttvOXygHv4d2XRDVg_HBjqAiEjIDjZ89vbCN-D37pGLlpjwITZ7uVH61gVNmgg-mK9jw0F4wa87HvaQNC9cnZknncZo-LAOfelmT6dTgrxpfkIa5xgQfXMnI2GvnQ/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSt4ZCkugttvOXygHv4d2XRDVg_HBjqAiEjIDjZ89vbCN-D37pGLlpjwITZ7uVH61gVNmgg-mK9jw0F4wa87HvaQNC9cnZknncZo-LAOfelmT6dTgrxpfkIa5xgQfXMnI2GvnQ/s400/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friends know Guangzhou is NOT on my list of Top 10,000 Cities to Visit, but i was there for a brief trip a few weeks back. Fortunately, my friend Shanna recommended Tiger Prawn Vietnamese Resto as a 'must-visit'. I was initially skeptical (well, i am skeptical about almost everything), but a cursory look at Trip Advisor revealed this joint was ranked No. 2 in Guangzhou. Hmmm, interesting huh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So off i went. Pretty far from my hotel, around 45 minutes by taxi. After alighting and wandering around a bit, i spotted their sign (above). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was a long line of people waiting at the door. Good omen, i think. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This lady at the door controlled the flow of patrons into Tiger Prawn. She gave out color-coded bits of paper with numbers written on them, and you just wait to be called. (Nope, no use bribing her to get you in quickly :D)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsRaqrXmDSKP_IgVCb5DTaU0srDpfF1RjO_rFvas7iC0GyiECdSUefHIy5enbD73S0lStYA7JxMZYiPACKMisUhxrcqcZ6fgOy1N_XFQmLjPWc0x-p8zsBYznmD08FKFE3jjp/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsRaqrXmDSKP_IgVCb5DTaU0srDpfF1RjO_rFvas7iC0GyiECdSUefHIy5enbD73S0lStYA7JxMZYiPACKMisUhxrcqcZ6fgOy1N_XFQmLjPWc0x-p8zsBYznmD08FKFE3jjp/s640/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While waiting, one can peruse the very extensive menu of Vietnamese, Thai and Singaporean dishes, as this man was doing. The photos will whet your appetite. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0o5AuAjGAPXxXzu_nSDat9mV1LzCUN08Uo51H0YqKNpr0Fepj8XwQte8nRsFvPWsbFDAiFO3mY2TCIgWkyzgXEC8KNwS3t-8LYA_ILuSS2ufei_7PraHSH-mwUTbDomVZ5t1/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0o5AuAjGAPXxXzu_nSDat9mV1LzCUN08Uo51H0YqKNpr0Fepj8XwQte8nRsFvPWsbFDAiFO3mY2TCIgWkyzgXEC8KNwS3t-8LYA_ILuSS2ufei_7PraHSH-mwUTbDomVZ5t1/s640/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn9.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Once inside, the atmosphere is very festive and the resto is jampacked. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClG3pKmK3r8LeSX2qYkLplHuQwj9mMaCoqzQGxZyHr26BfaFl3-yofZea6BOS47pyOdrNToUbLE50n2VqYHLeMW0YPDZbw81qbSRF1CpeA_3avlysqI7TJ5x3ZoBR9SFPrDG6/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClG3pKmK3r8LeSX2qYkLplHuQwj9mMaCoqzQGxZyHr26BfaFl3-yofZea6BOS47pyOdrNToUbLE50n2VqYHLeMW0YPDZbw81qbSRF1CpeA_3avlysqI7TJ5x3ZoBR9SFPrDG6/s400/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After much indecision, I finally settled on my orders. The food came fairly quickly, considering how busy they were. First up was the Fish Fillet Hanoi Style (RMB48.00).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAr_yKL30gf4_2QZyvEl2i7mtBUKMy2chCfj_GsHQAoTEz7rgKJet0dw4sUe8ugnyChj98C4ZgMoMP-7PxOP3AT-cMcT-o_Uo3D2HL-wRUdt2aHHOdRvvw2jEHVnSHAEzRzcV/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAr_yKL30gf4_2QZyvEl2i7mtBUKMy2chCfj_GsHQAoTEz7rgKJet0dw4sUe8ugnyChj98C4ZgMoMP-7PxOP3AT-cMcT-o_Uo3D2HL-wRUdt2aHHOdRvvw2jEHVnSHAEzRzcV/s400/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next was the BBQ Marinated Pork Neck (RMB48.00). Quite delectable-looking from the get-go, don't you agree? :D </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyttHMfb8ZPVYKkVl3kjQBPyVog064QNrD4OjCBIBVjNfXKYLHbYyHJMsO7Inb8KlQd0bRzu_DURuSV_iAnb_ykCpyZb_NnoHUCaBJ31wDwTgm6svgB_DoB-XQTO1pNCIUGkvU/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyttHMfb8ZPVYKkVl3kjQBPyVog064QNrD4OjCBIBVjNfXKYLHbYyHJMsO7Inb8KlQd0bRzu_DURuSV_iAnb_ykCpyZb_NnoHUCaBJ31wDwTgm6svgB_DoB-XQTO1pNCIUGkvU/s400/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's a closer shot of the pork neck. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyqDmcX6bQ45KS-Cn7nMikbvW9QdGx34VEAyrADzSTZbLkXLAC7OFj184zw5XYuIy_qeNd2e_2CSfnu8PnVx5_aAXvEQXJ5DMYOfbrCHe5hyXdVj78nHC9lxWXVig0CalijE2/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyqDmcX6bQ45KS-Cn7nMikbvW9QdGx34VEAyrADzSTZbLkXLAC7OFj184zw5XYuIy_qeNd2e_2CSfnu8PnVx5_aAXvEQXJ5DMYOfbrCHe5hyXdVj78nHC9lxWXVig0CalijE2/s400/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I included a Seafood Fried Rice with Basil and Lemongrass (RMB38.00), so here below were all my orders in one shot. The astute reader will realize that i had ordered enough food for 3 persons! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The food proved to be quite excellent. The rice was very flavourful, and could be a complete meal in itself. The fish fillet was had the right consistency, and the sauce wasn't overpowering. And the pork neck! The pork neck! Tender and firm with a hint of smokiness, i could eat this every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Suffice to say, not only had yours truly ordered food for 3 pax, i actually inhaled obliterated wiped out food good for 3 pax!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's a photo of the Tiger Prawn ladies with their colourful prints on their shirts. It took a lot of effort to get them all together, as they were so busy bustling about taking care of customers. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP79OMa6OsqJFJ5bYd4LD-1_ijHYReCY57lLx0sQwexKRF9aHgIwQsDxzLqN3ZdbaezVzbCfRKXFdU-ZwwvbeqNBV8JST8xX394pkvdWXUwBC-ampHjOlUXgps8tYJikpVk4zt/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP79OMa6OsqJFJ5bYd4LD-1_ijHYReCY57lLx0sQwexKRF9aHgIwQsDxzLqN3ZdbaezVzbCfRKXFdU-ZwwvbeqNBV8JST8xX394pkvdWXUwBC-ampHjOlUXgps8tYJikpVk4zt/s400/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I heartily recommend Tiger Prawn to any travellers to Guangzhou. Here below is the address in Chinese characters to show to your non-English speaking cabbie. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxA7DMjV4GGUw9BrBVXcuNQVeAKpKb9pvYJFvTZeIoWiQKGl1IckfaTN1r_4GLci7UCkznF-JlPWoW_aXFFcByvhs2paY1G1Dj02wsvgO8fLVlpMG2HyiqP4hYnUzj_KPzjG4/s1600/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxA7DMjV4GGUw9BrBVXcuNQVeAKpKb9pvYJFvTZeIoWiQKGl1IckfaTN1r_4GLci7UCkznF-JlPWoW_aXFFcByvhs2paY1G1Dj02wsvgO8fLVlpMG2HyiqP4hYnUzj_KPzjG4/s400/Guangzhou+Tiger+Prawn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-65899225420151340512016-08-28T07:24:00.001-07:002016-08-28T07:24:37.555-07:00SHOTS FROM LONDON (Part 7): The House with the Blue Door(This is the last part of our series on the London trip, and i hope everyone had as much fun reading these posts as i had visiting it. Cheers!)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are like me, a huge fan of the Julia Roberts / Hugh Grant romantic comedy "Notting Hill", then a stroll around the Notting Hill area is definitely in order. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, Notting Hill is definitely quite a posh part of town. Lots of huge mansions and handsome flats here. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckoCONGPv9LNEnc5meBZY9ZXT2q3wsiQrbbPn_dwaX8K9oLl0Dw3hNwWj67D57qJ-JwqaUJGojsEERI5JAyRVejLEODc-VZ2isV1ha-JiQcFswrUtOrf2r7Vg6ZkRydBG0KXz/s1600/London76.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckoCONGPv9LNEnc5meBZY9ZXT2q3wsiQrbbPn_dwaX8K9oLl0Dw3hNwWj67D57qJ-JwqaUJGojsEERI5JAyRVejLEODc-VZ2isV1ha-JiQcFswrUtOrf2r7Vg6ZkRydBG0KXz/s400/London76.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's quite easy to search online for 'self-guided walking tours' of Notting Hill, should one wish to see where various spots where the film was shot. And that's exactly what i did on my last day in London, before taking the evening flight back to my home country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Among the highlights were: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was Max and Bella's house in the movie, located at 91 Lansdowne
Road. Diehards will recall that Will Thacker (Hugh Grant's character) surprised his friends by bringing Anna Scott (the famous American actress played by Julia Roberts) as his dinner date for the house party. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The main commercial strip is Portobello Road, well known for its weekend antique market. It is worth exploring, with interesting stores; and an inordinate number of coffee shops and gourmet burger bars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the travel bookshop where Will and his funny assistant Martin worked, located right on this main street: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Well, of course it wasn't a travel bookshop in real life. It's actually a gift shop selling trinkets that hapless tourists fall for. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGATmVrkhQdfpj_Mq5ud_kO1p39UQnSbsgZC7sVBnkDD7uUXfjq_hCMbFNDbfA70WT_Ql8sMyl9HZKIZWgN2zdG9VUm5oZxGfAKlBPz_pdYwNlcneeb6lzfm6LEfcmgnqnKfX7/s1600/London74.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGATmVrkhQdfpj_Mq5ud_kO1p39UQnSbsgZC7sVBnkDD7uUXfjq_hCMbFNDbfA70WT_Ql8sMyl9HZKIZWgN2zdG9VUm5oZxGfAKlBPz_pdYwNlcneeb6lzfm6LEfcmgnqnKfX7/s640/London74.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The highlight of the walk was to check out the famous house with the blue door, where Will lived. If one recalls, he accidentally bumped into Anna on the street, spilling orange juice all over her shirt. He pointed at the blue door, and offered to take her there, where she could change clothes and be back on the street in a <i>"non-prostitute sense." </i>Then they had their <i>"surreal but nice" </i>conversation, and kissed, and ...okay okay, i'm not gonna narrate the whole movie ;-D </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ie8ftYhy5qmWuZZrEeQavfpuBUnKK7tW8DcttsiPH8run69ZSs_2xBaBLGbw6RL25Ll8WkZAPX9S86BOK3tQO08B1w3IrfhSEfBoUxR9D3iJNVafbyceMj7wmLTJmBPuTiyh/s1600/London75.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ie8ftYhy5qmWuZZrEeQavfpuBUnKK7tW8DcttsiPH8run69ZSs_2xBaBLGbw6RL25Ll8WkZAPX9S86BOK3tQO08B1w3IrfhSEfBoUxR9D3iJNVafbyceMj7wmLTJmBPuTiyh/s640/London75.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">W<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">rite this down<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">. </span></span></span>It’s located at <b>280
Westbourne Park Road<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">And if you look a<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">t the area map closely (see above photo), <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">it is actually <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">featured there. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To digress a bit: The house with the blue door was actually owned by the movie's screenwriter, Richard Curtis. He eventually sold it (after its value went up after the movie, so you could say the movie was the world's most expensive and elaborate real property advertisement ;-D). The new owners got tired of tourists (like me) who search for it, and painted the door black (boo!) and removed the number (boo!). Eventually, they changed heart (cheers!) and now it is back to its familiar blue colour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah, back to our stroll. Westbourne Park Road intersects Portobello Road, so it is quite easy to find. Here's a tip: It's the junction where there are three coffee shops: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCT2CSI5hbdPctX5e1OXraCbejnlg2Mkz4o9evA9RS5_MrG9GM3dYisgHsBWgeQ_il2UyVylbTGp55xdJZBCzRGUENCChPC2nsx23eM3oVqD1KtsQijv6NNIygCNejKpd6xUz/s1600/London78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCT2CSI5hbdPctX5e1OXraCbejnlg2Mkz4o9evA9RS5_MrG9GM3dYisgHsBWgeQ_il2UyVylbTGp55xdJZBCzRGUENCChPC2nsx23eM3oVqD1KtsQijv6NNIygCNejKpd6xUz/s400/London78.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzekigXuVcH3VsMIEzIpOIW7FUPbcx7Rvc5HW1PczOpG99nQrSqlxgEbn90puDl7Z3RkzcGxl-eFJwMZM8Fax6WGcZpLrOiDQCMIK96QaZD-4HonbsiJ9a2j3tqJj16tbJwOyS/s1600/London80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzekigXuVcH3VsMIEzIpOIW7FUPbcx7Rvc5HW1PczOpG99nQrSqlxgEbn90puDl7Z3RkzcGxl-eFJwMZM8Fax6WGcZpLrOiDQCMIK96QaZD-4HonbsiJ9a2j3tqJj16tbJwOyS/s640/London80.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house is something like ten steps away from the Starbucks. And here it is. Wallah! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRQ_eHH0b1QTQuZ8c20tBeXnAWoqPfGbaYO-hdOuopmRZbY5NWPmdmZeVWElFA7L-1aGV1SYU8wBjAfHEy-ORUrJbzpeM9ynVmjzlhfS_Q0gX9WpyXV3ZwOhNEEocZY4jTtjc/s1600/London82.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRQ_eHH0b1QTQuZ8c20tBeXnAWoqPfGbaYO-hdOuopmRZbY5NWPmdmZeVWElFA7L-1aGV1SYU8wBjAfHEy-ORUrJbzpeM9ynVmjzlhfS_Q0gX9WpyXV3ZwOhNEEocZY4jTtjc/s640/London82.jpg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRQ_eHH0b1QTQuZ8c20tBeXnAWoqPfGbaYO-hdOuopmRZbY5NWPmdmZeVWElFA7L-1aGV1SYU8wBjAfHEy-ORUrJbzpeM9ynVmjzlhfS_Q0gX9WpyXV3ZwOhNEEocZY4jTtjc/s1600/London82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't knock, though. Will and Anna are in the US, and Spike is having a hot tub bath. </span><br />
<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-12103905624236279862016-08-04T06:28:00.000-07:002016-08-04T19:31:00.935-07:00SHOTS FROM LONDON (Part 6): Strawberries & Cream at Wimbledon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp08Erzbds-MmtzYhzJfF9nYQJU37LHp6oCOUWipp_YH8zoFnGc6TMwbpTH68EP2wmpqLx5P4jVd2-cKQJaRsL5Zckp8dIroJB11tibwddhK7ZbnmJGm_8e6BRG-f-oDFxWhVJ/s1600/Wimbledon20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp08Erzbds-MmtzYhzJfF9nYQJU37LHp6oCOUWipp_YH8zoFnGc6TMwbpTH68EP2wmpqLx5P4jVd2-cKQJaRsL5Zckp8dIroJB11tibwddhK7ZbnmJGm_8e6BRG-f-oDFxWhVJ/s400/Wimbledon20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today was a big day. Newman and i were watching Wimbledon again, but unlike yesterday [refer to previous post] wherein we queued for hours in the morning, today was going to be easy-peasy. Why? We had tickets, that's why. Reserved seats! At Court No. 3! [fist pump ala Lleyton]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza3AH4N5TNrKaxQRJT8vaO7i1u0guIQsUAknYIkIE3nhvB_NARDONuuwyoIEchqiTdlUiZ1a0BYykjy7F-BRNf_MO4FJe0ZJparCAloAm9FPTtoLOXpFNIVSffdgmda_oJLUr/s1600/Wimbledon19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza3AH4N5TNrKaxQRJT8vaO7i1u0guIQsUAknYIkIE3nhvB_NARDONuuwyoIEchqiTdlUiZ1a0BYykjy7F-BRNf_MO4FJe0ZJparCAloAm9FPTtoLOXpFNIVSffdgmda_oJLUr/s400/Wimbledon19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, how to score tickets for Wimbledon? Well, if you live outside the United Kingdom, basically your only chance is to join the Wimbledon Overseas Public Ticket Ballot, through its official <a href="http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/tickets/index.html">website.</a> It usually opens sometime November, and closes on December 31st. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All you need to do is type in (or more accurately, all the AELTC requests for are) your name, address, contact no. and email address. Lucky winners are chosen by a random computer process, so it is not possible to choose when you want to watch, which court, how many persons, and/or how many days. Given the massive demand vs. the severely limited supply of tickets. the AELTC can afford to be snooty. Hehe!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When i received this email from the AELTC sometime in February, i nearly fell off my chair in surprise:</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20648" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #274e13;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">We are pleased to offer you the following tickets for The Championships, 2016:
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_18033" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">
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<tr id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20647"><td id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20646"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20645" style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20644"></b></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20645" style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20644">
A PAIR OF SEATS ON WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE FOR No.3 COURT</b></span></center>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_20640" style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The amount due is <b>96.00 GBP</b></span></center>
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<tr id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_18030"><td id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_18029"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_18028" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Payment must be made by </span><b>THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY</b></span></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After i made my payment by credit card, i got this email reminder from them:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1470310154777_17309" style="font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You
will be required to collect the tickets in person from the AELTC via
Gate 4 on the day of play. You will need to show photographic
identification which shows your name (e.g. passport or driving licence)
as well as a current proof of address (issued within the last 3 months
of tickets collection) which matches the name and address with which you
applied (e.g. utility bill, bank statement etc) in order to collect
your tickets. Tickets will not be released to a third party.</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, our efforts to queue were rewarded by good weather most of the day. At the outside courts with no reserved seats, one could really see the action up close:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N4Y0Y5Rrk3mqQGfqYd-q_jnZNBaWlbE32Pow9DU_DYFtefK7u66lwpNf8_LrGJXKIXsNLMiauIGL5q7EupLiD4gKzaR4UbSujSrhp3OVBCDxNPajNWo32msxlBjoupHby1Ir/s1600/Wimbledon21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N4Y0Y5Rrk3mqQGfqYd-q_jnZNBaWlbE32Pow9DU_DYFtefK7u66lwpNf8_LrGJXKIXsNLMiauIGL5q7EupLiD4gKzaR4UbSujSrhp3OVBCDxNPajNWo32msxlBjoupHby1Ir/s400/Wimbledon21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Daria Gavrilova in action.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfAkELRikG5s-n-jwHX4oeM_ctlEDHQnmNp3OXDQmk540n6EyVpGmM1GvQPjl_EW6GVhIb8VmmekI8nLPHcUG5xr4s4QI-nZblFCghTVXP_HWcY-2XDNOQNnnNIzQPyigO0Hc/s1600/Wimbledon22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfAkELRikG5s-n-jwHX4oeM_ctlEDHQnmNp3OXDQmk540n6EyVpGmM1GvQPjl_EW6GVhIb8VmmekI8nLPHcUG5xr4s4QI-nZblFCghTVXP_HWcY-2XDNOQNnnNIzQPyigO0Hc/s400/Wimbledon22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the nattily-attired linesmen: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdQ2oKWTDVj-xnbNk6YCoCODsIAhkl4kUM5D73BvBhCFiuFCY8pNMwoD9bZIBj_OBM-ytTHUachcuw-lIb8Fxk6iLxsUMycCBytkhgx6Q5h00YAQkT1hvdDeryDBeixjzNbyx/s1600/Wimbledon24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdQ2oKWTDVj-xnbNk6YCoCODsIAhkl4kUM5D73BvBhCFiuFCY8pNMwoD9bZIBj_OBM-ytTHUachcuw-lIb8Fxk6iLxsUMycCBytkhgx6Q5h00YAQkT1hvdDeryDBeixjzNbyx/s640/Wimbledon24.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorites, the rising Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVsR7ARHOfxo7QPk1RpGjjRqi842dRLJaJoJ4mrZaNyMjz7zdoowj6NdBY8rs3YMBlM0DU-_HwtaH0oljWjJdgUgUDpqZKASB6p3uyFHNBOuAevJOD0BhrGBX2_iCB2Vkg-zd/s1600/Wimbledon25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVsR7ARHOfxo7QPk1RpGjjRqi842dRLJaJoJ4mrZaNyMjz7zdoowj6NdBY8rs3YMBlM0DU-_HwtaH0oljWjJdgUgUDpqZKASB6p3uyFHNBOuAevJOD0BhrGBX2_iCB2Vkg-zd/s400/Wimbledon25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today was unfortunately a bit different. The infamous London weather was rearing its ugly head, and forecast for the day was rain, rain and more rain. True enough, the order of play kept on getting delayed, and finally started around 1 PM. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfcUCt6jYPrk1bnjNXVkXXyqqcBayvLu1yyXRhYjbhlI0-4CPiPQlFGm8l7j-DtbxWO2Mn0DMZ7LJqSHdTppSZGzkXzAefXK-xowo02mAhJKoaP74p983FacSXOOc-inIg3n3/s1600/Wimbledon23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfcUCt6jYPrk1bnjNXVkXXyqqcBayvLu1yyXRhYjbhlI0-4CPiPQlFGm8l7j-DtbxWO2Mn0DMZ7LJqSHdTppSZGzkXzAefXK-xowo02mAhJKoaP74p983FacSXOOc-inIg3n3/s640/Wimbledon23.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the old-fashioned board showing the order of play:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0npdMj0D8K27nhObYLRchvs4M-XXYhxc3RuyYR9eRs2s6Qkuzkoq8E5V0bKKksyrvYItevAq6RsRLp83JNZpHNM19XiPwfmT9PtOFo0EcKqXMKLuw8att3kN7oEMUxavQP2F/s1600/Wimbledon27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0npdMj0D8K27nhObYLRchvs4M-XXYhxc3RuyYR9eRs2s6Qkuzkoq8E5V0bKKksyrvYItevAq6RsRLp83JNZpHNM19XiPwfmT9PtOFo0EcKqXMKLuw8att3kN7oEMUxavQP2F/s400/Wimbledon27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's our vantage point from our reserved seats on Court No. 3. Unfortunately, play kept on getting suspended as rain showers came and went and came back. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMpBWQ3V2PD5KXswIiTiBYFscbhH10roFJqd9fv2ujnXBnnwBuIg08c02aBkNLrsBQppA-z_bVgoUg-nrqTgHPvtsL8QdQyY6dhjNGc3wwYJ8oMFDZo-AgqS0GHm_3GJfcyof/s1600/Wimbledon28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMpBWQ3V2PD5KXswIiTiBYFscbhH10roFJqd9fv2ujnXBnnwBuIg08c02aBkNLrsBQppA-z_bVgoUg-nrqTgHPvtsL8QdQyY6dhjNGc3wwYJ8oMFDZo-AgqS0GHm_3GJfcyof/s400/Wimbledon28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAN1QOQksJqk1Jt50-y_eDxY0xJuJipqZBozj6-tk4IRx2bxrKEa8nz9WSkiwOJh3_A_wU_-9ZQ1T9u7zlng8j97v968cWJq5c-NXIDNQ4UFlcK0rLgwKlzrFFhYGQzuKUozt-/s1600/Wimbledon29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAN1QOQksJqk1Jt50-y_eDxY0xJuJipqZBozj6-tk4IRx2bxrKEa8nz9WSkiwOJh3_A_wU_-9ZQ1T9u7zlng8j97v968cWJq5c-NXIDNQ4UFlcK0rLgwKlzrFFhYGQzuKUozt-/s400/Wimbledon29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's how the ballboys and grounds crew unfurl the tarp, to cheers and whistles from the crowd: </span><br />
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<object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" height="266" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" width="320"></object><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzFmj35Wbxua57gZMQfccocwkKpFce9JfA9jqnA-o5iH_N_ohlMQE1E_wN_wgQTdFEqLqeWqwxt7lo' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With play suspended for the most part of the day, there wasn't really much to do except wait. And do some retail therapy, courtesy of the Wimbledon shops: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwHzn8PvLuKENQBOq4FSGX9JKR8KRcRWE81XmMki6s8kVaNv0UU6sgUBM0iX6LwxquohMjcf7hHfOdkkjLlnzX4IfrlNaE_6OkYzvpXCVRyZ96iP9EDLZHh1QiliznAWDJDFR/s1600/Wimbledon32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwHzn8PvLuKENQBOq4FSGX9JKR8KRcRWE81XmMki6s8kVaNv0UU6sgUBM0iX6LwxquohMjcf7hHfOdkkjLlnzX4IfrlNaE_6OkYzvpXCVRyZ96iP9EDLZHh1QiliznAWDJDFR/s400/Wimbledon32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The queues were horrendous at the cashier (or "till", as the Brits call it), and there was much jostling around. There was a dizzying array of official Wimbledon branded merchandise, from the usual tennis apparel to the high-end Polo Ralph Lauren line; oversized tennis balls, stuffed toys, keychains, mugs and tumblers and the like; even a nifty-looking Powerbank that Newman bought. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And you have never been to Wimbledon if you haven't tried the famed strawberries and cream</span>: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlPReZ1qKNSrjFBwu9b74zKWIizgfeVI7BO7N4F5LeY7m0Ifd4xteb_5UUg4j43bxtQQeEA9Y3J-xi9XZtWpyJh_iFBIb7benJsY_RTVO-wbfx_SyjXozLilPopuX85PFJaBf/s1600/Wimbledon30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlPReZ1qKNSrjFBwu9b74zKWIizgfeVI7BO7N4F5LeY7m0Ifd4xteb_5UUg4j43bxtQQeEA9Y3J-xi9XZtWpyJh_iFBIb7benJsY_RTVO-wbfx_SyjXozLilPopuX85PFJaBf/s400/Wimbledon30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not a bad deal for GBP2.50. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LnOiVVAEtWFGYt2q20xrLMmSko9gXaRRM_p9pRFGOeF-wgiTsU_qmhprUmz68Ycdrx8RPXbi0AgWrS34x25lzCLrtNA9uwdd40GOQ5uKVm7LhxZm3Ut1Lm2_JpNVclCr9mqe/s1600/Wimbledon31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LnOiVVAEtWFGYt2q20xrLMmSko9gXaRRM_p9pRFGOeF-wgiTsU_qmhprUmz68Ycdrx8RPXbi0AgWrS34x25lzCLrtNA9uwdd40GOQ5uKVm7LhxZm3Ut1Lm2_JpNVclCr9mqe/s400/Wimbledon31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The programmes are overpriced at GBP10.00. Resist the urge! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg733bZLGhv2RkmxRfiejJ7-_5f8R7ULtCK66pWRlIUhXXTU_o5Wxi1pf7zQsePgjsyivLA2WwKCIpUJzE7nSnZ5PBjy9pIffqOsDvazAv1715pWwsGW7NxNNDit46_aLCXUx55/s1600/Wimbledon33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg733bZLGhv2RkmxRfiejJ7-_5f8R7ULtCK66pWRlIUhXXTU_o5Wxi1pf7zQsePgjsyivLA2WwKCIpUJzE7nSnZ5PBjy9pIffqOsDvazAv1715pWwsGW7NxNNDit46_aLCXUx55/s640/Wimbledon33.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After yet another rain delay, there was hope of play resuming around 5PM. But just when all the covers were unfurled off the courts, and the official having put his palm on the grass and affirmed it was suitable for play, and the ballboys having folded the players' towels, raindrops started falling hard again (argghhhh). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRoIvhhPKn0wni8el1w-TMoi3kvzW3AoLoVfweWBJ1myS9ZSC-XOpiYnvzmBuM9nyOkGF6PELGggT10vb66_3XNDj1S9KPg0T37nJUnQFsx7_VvA7LZaWPabGnSbM9-ERJgK4/s1600/Wimbledon34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRoIvhhPKn0wni8el1w-TMoi3kvzW3AoLoVfweWBJ1myS9ZSC-XOpiYnvzmBuM9nyOkGF6PELGggT10vb66_3XNDj1S9KPg0T37nJUnQFsx7_VvA7LZaWPabGnSbM9-ERJgK4/s400/Wimbledon34.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was at the nearly empty Court No. 17, with only another tennis fan and some officials nearby. Ten feet away from us was the veteran pro Feliciano Lopez. Upon seeing the raindrops, he glanced at our direction and shrugged,<i> "Guess we are done for today."</i> His words proved prophetic, and play was suspended for the rest of the day. </span></div>
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<br />grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-4121212027182708752016-07-31T08:05:00.000-07:002016-07-31T08:05:21.538-07:00SHOTS FROM LONDON (Part 5): The Queue at Wimbledon<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When Newman suggested before the trip that we queue to
watch Wimbledon, i very nearly blanched and didn't really find his
suggestion appetizing. What i had heard was that one had to queue <b>overnight</b> on open grounds (i.e. pitch a tent, cook one's food, etc.) just to be able to score a ticket for the next day's tennis matches. Tough luck if it's raining cats and dogs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Newman forwarded to me an article from The Telegraph, which explained the All-England Lawn Tennis & Croquet (AELTC) Club's set-up: Every day, they make available a limited number of tickets for the "show courts" (i.e. Centre Court, Court No. 1 and Court No. 2) - rumoured, but not confirmed, to be five hundred in total; and several thousand "grounds passes", which entitles one to watch the action (unreserved seats) on the smaller, outside courts No. 3 - 19. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, if you are a tennis fanatic and/or want to see the top stars play, then you will have to camp overnight for the 'show court' tickets. But if you are content to see lesser lights in action on the outside courts, then just drop by 7AM on the day and join the queue; and more likely than not, you will be able to obtain a grounds pass. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, on a balmy Tuesday morning, Newman and i alighted from the Southfields underground station (Important tip: Get off at Southfields, not at Wimbledon station) and hurried off to find the queue. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4VgZ-cVcZJ2gfScObwNmINEqm0ct_Bbx6ZlTeDdvGVo8d0bWjPOy1Wp7TAmiFA9MkXImTC2tS8B7wYDIqRuJ-atY8FjqCaUPkkz8dQi82phr2HRwvgW88grvK7SGca4GT-xI/s1600/Wimbledon15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4VgZ-cVcZJ2gfScObwNmINEqm0ct_Bbx6ZlTeDdvGVo8d0bWjPOy1Wp7TAmiFA9MkXImTC2tS8B7wYDIqRuJ-atY8FjqCaUPkkz8dQi82phr2HRwvgW88grvK7SGca4GT-xI/s400/Wimbledon15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the subway station seats decked out in the traditional Wimbledon colours, dark green and purple, with "In Pursuit of Greatness" printed. Puts one right in the mood to watch some tennis! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We followed the direction where everyone else was walking to, and pretty soon saw this sign:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCrN6PD88wDkfJ2xqKddCJuU7M0A59hqLazrGEl9qsUcOMgjMe8tVgXDh8yei3fK6_8qMRq-Xeuo4EJlK004onY7u7ksEcXzCSEZi8sQVkH1LVfIQJQGkYiiMNYNUr-uWrGGy/s1600/Wimbledon16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCrN6PD88wDkfJ2xqKddCJuU7M0A59hqLazrGEl9qsUcOMgjMe8tVgXDh8yei3fK6_8qMRq-Xeuo4EJlK004onY7u7ksEcXzCSEZi8sQVkH1LVfIQJQGkYiiMNYNUr-uWrGGy/s400/Wimbledon16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We came upon an open grassy parking lot. Lo and behold! Thousands and thousands of people already lined up! [gasp]</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The important thing is to get one's Queue Card, being handed out to everyone by the stewards. DO NOT LOSE THIS. It is numbered and date-stamped (see below). No, you cannot get queue cards for <i>"five of my friends, who are coming in a bit"</i>; strictly one per person. Newman and i were the 3,498th and 3,499th people on the queue for this day, so i silently hoped they'd let at least 3,500 in!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAjmDoLiUAsNZfvz6MaJad869abKqF4w8mQmknO6evbcJOviwMjiYPUNw4uPEYnpw_84pVo3WvXcffL0IgIMAgHaJnS16GYiQ7_OVP59iwY7arLfAYMmQG1aeq-2k-n7FxfHS/s1600/Wimbledon11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAjmDoLiUAsNZfvz6MaJad869abKqF4w8mQmknO6evbcJOviwMjiYPUNw4uPEYnpw_84pVo3WvXcffL0IgIMAgHaJnS16GYiQ7_OVP59iwY7arLfAYMmQG1aeq-2k-n7FxfHS/s400/Wimbledon11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As it was just 7:30AM, and the AELTC gates open at 10:30AM, there was nothing to do but wait. (and wait and keep on waiting, whether patiently or not) So here are some guidelines to make the wait more bearable: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRry9f3jVMnGZ8B0Jtn6KONqj9cuPuwK8r4pgct1_dOR759_0Q3WzCnZbjpxMDw18Nsu6VYg82TG8Bt57uatRr9tajzLf5COsr8kjNnfIRVzrJNKuI5MCPSMqzAOn1OJ1BCDvX/s1600/Wimbledon3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRry9f3jVMnGZ8B0Jtn6KONqj9cuPuwK8r4pgct1_dOR759_0Q3WzCnZbjpxMDw18Nsu6VYg82TG8Bt57uatRr9tajzLf5COsr8kjNnfIRVzrJNKuI5MCPSMqzAOn1OJ1BCDvX/s400/Wimbledon3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bring a book or a tablet for entertainment. Make sure your attire (especially your shoes) is suitable for inclement weather (the British lady behind us stated that, even if it was stormy and pouring hard, people simply unfurl their umbrellas and raincoats, and continued to be in line). Bring some snacks and drinks, although fortunately, there were some food stalls and portable toilets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It had rained the night before, so the grass was slightly damp with some muddy patches. One enterprising newspaper, The Telegraph, offered an appetizing promotion: Just buy a copy of the newspaper, and one gets a 'special' gift. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It composed of a textile cloth (in checkered colours very similar to dark green and purple, to boot!) with wet-proof backing, perfectly suitable for laying on the ground; as well as a transparent rain poncho. So one could lie on the ground in comfort:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAXPEYL5K5LBH6aInDOOjBrFJeRa9VTWv89EI0GmY8brEBL2Y9Bx-sLTCeriTk14Niv9roFrbpRXHYuRVEMe0tSJtYOp7LBLFAHfhH5qZJ99A1hp9C_7VkeN41LFMAzHdH-eF/s1600/Wimbledon5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAXPEYL5K5LBH6aInDOOjBrFJeRa9VTWv89EI0GmY8brEBL2Y9Bx-sLTCeriTk14Niv9roFrbpRXHYuRVEMe0tSJtYOp7LBLFAHfhH5qZJ99A1hp9C_7VkeN41LFMAzHdH-eF/s400/Wimbledon5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Japanese guy in front of us had bought the paper, and very kindly offered us to sit with him, much to my eternal gratitude. He was taking a week-long holiday, and visiting London and Prague. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another reminder: Please do not try to jump the queue. The stewards do their rounds and check from time to time. It is simply unsporting behaviour to do so. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu7A0YgZDphiLQFF99PU0vJWqX7OdwNHsvtr4XEKsfjbxkF0LKAhkkKR7xYBgo2fRow4GMljs3bNkq6lV2wfRY8jW0rxRbTo5TvaS7y-FwYhqmblgoRHB8S4A5Sg2DZc6Yd2l/s1600/Wimbledon7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu7A0YgZDphiLQFF99PU0vJWqX7OdwNHsvtr4XEKsfjbxkF0LKAhkkKR7xYBgo2fRow4GMljs3bNkq6lV2wfRY8jW0rxRbTo5TvaS7y-FwYhqmblgoRHB8S4A5Sg2DZc6Yd2l/s640/Wimbledon7.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slowly, but surely, the queue lurched forward in increments; and we could feel a bit of nervous excitement as the prospect of finally entering the gates (and having our queue cards converted to actual grounds passes) neared. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for those people camped out in tents (they were on the queue for<b> tomorrow's</b> show court tickets), here was one way they passed the time:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggfJNyR27D9LQPJO1gEBkGQNbusJte3WLNjsGmdrfR1Bau5FoW6U8NcMcQVDEg8_rfxDlMMX9bErazdoH2GTu9hVnzSKONYgrGf8wwUawk3CWD-VHuIotlXQ7BCmRr8rXE8kT/s1600/Wimbledon8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggfJNyR27D9LQPJO1gEBkGQNbusJte3WLNjsGmdrfR1Bau5FoW6U8NcMcQVDEg8_rfxDlMMX9bErazdoH2GTu9hVnzSKONYgrGf8wwUawk3CWD-VHuIotlXQ7BCmRr8rXE8kT/s400/Wimbledon8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we keep on walking towards the gates, we passed by this sign. No selfie sticks, please. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjiRUno_gumzi1_zXugc0fFF-GRzE6cWgtepTmejVinhNMZA-jhryPZGKvoJpLDPZKqWhwZ6GttK0Muh4-BlTwuAAclBEtnFl9I8JevoJzZeDGcxi_G_FhVdscbIQEaWcFYOc/s1600/Wimbledon10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjiRUno_gumzi1_zXugc0fFF-GRzE6cWgtepTmejVinhNMZA-jhryPZGKvoJpLDPZKqWhwZ6GttK0Muh4-BlTwuAAclBEtnFl9I8JevoJzZeDGcxi_G_FhVdscbIQEaWcFYOc/s640/Wimbledon10.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once inside the gate, we passed the very strict security checks, akin to airport standards. There are restrictions on what items one can bring, as well as the size of one's bag/backpack, so it is imperative to check the official Wimbledon <a href="http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/safety_and_security.html" target="_blank">site </a>beforehand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you see this sign below, you feel like "yes, we've made it!!" :D</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmtOsy3G0YjU7_hGHbUSd7rtJlz8g-3ROpNisi7Prf8XBzFGB36H8IPX6J2yZZv1k8Tetucrzmk5KbHPNC1q3UZKz4xhb52zVeuWWkSG2th94pkiVjwDDKAoQk28gww8paBlP/s1600/Wimbledon12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmtOsy3G0YjU7_hGHbUSd7rtJlz8g-3ROpNisi7Prf8XBzFGB36H8IPX6J2yZZv1k8Tetucrzmk5KbHPNC1q3UZKz4xhb52zVeuWWkSG2th94pkiVjwDDKAoQk28gww8paBlP/s400/Wimbledon12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, Newman and i reached the ticket turnstiles. Which brings me to another tip: Bring cash. The grounds pass costs GBP25.00, strictly on cash basis only. Don't tell me you lined up for hours, and your wallet lacked cold cash? Not very smart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Success!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And once you entered the hallowed grounds, all the hassle and inconvenience experienced from the queue just evaporates the very moment you see the famed grass courts:</span><br />
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(Stay tuned for the next Wimbledon post!)grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20727513.post-6664854437347023572016-07-23T06:19:00.003-07:002016-07-23T06:22:50.396-07:00SHOTS FROM LONDON (Part 4): Gelato Festival at Old Spitalfields Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The ending point of our East End London food walking tour (see previous post) was near the Old Spitalfields Market, so i decided to check it out further. It proved to be quite worthwhile, as this market has a good mix of stalls selling antiques, leather goods, books, vintage eyeglass frames (!), etc.; as well as funky shops (<a href="https://www.montezumas.co.uk/" target="_blank">Montezuma's innovative British chocolate,</a> in particular) and restaurants. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of interesting food stalls here. And there was a huge lunch time crowd, composed mainly of white-collar office worker types. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the happiest 'stumble upon' of all was the ongoing Gelato Festival right in the middle of the market. I really dug the old-style poster very much (below). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This event was apparently quite a big deal. Now on its 7th year, the <a href="http://www.gelatofestival.it/it" target="_blank">Gelato Festival</a> has nine stages (Florence, Parma, Rome, Naples, Turin, Milan, London, Berlin, Valencia), involving twenty two of Europe's master gelato makers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the Gelato Laboratory! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To start eating the gelato, all one needed to do was buy a Gelato Card. A bit pricey, and with the catch that the Gelato Card was valid only on the day of purchase. In short, if you buy a card for GBP18.00, you get to pig out on eat-all-you-can gelato for one day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, for folks like me who were conscious of their waistlines and calorie counts [*fit of coughing*], there was the option to buy a Gelato Card for one scoop at GBP5.00, or two scoops at GBP8.00. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I duly chose the two-scoop option. First flavor i tried was the Ricotta Cheese, which proved to be quite light and refreshing and full of goodness and light! I could have gone back for a 2nd and a 3rd and a 4th scoop for this flavour!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guy behind the counter was a friendly sort of bloke as well, so i mentally reminded myself to get his name and introduce him to my friend cheeky Femme. ;-D</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next up was an array of flavours from maker Pernigotti. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After some deliberation, i chose the Peru 'Molto Intenso' flavour. It proved to be too intense (bordering on deep, bitter taste), and i could only finish half of the scoop. It wasn't bad, to be clear; just best eaten in small doses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I already bookmarked the Gelato Festival website, and hope to 'accidentally' stumble upon it again next year, in another city maybe!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeYUrS_ikahyphenhyphenPMdEgifUbLhYCOLY8ghXWU24qpOZTuB5jpU9uUbfklBnXFiAM9kfDSIriSuav3_JShyphenhyphen86iqFL2WK2XiHNwfFYRlGqbrgxUXpkQm04FVrT9-38wunIWs_wqeky/s1600/London59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>grumpyurbanslackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352710951510373300noreply@blogger.com1