TRAVELBITES: SG 2011

here's our recent family vacation...

on buses, trains, cabs, trams, while eating, sightseeing, learning, and lots more :)



Music: Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap

*details on where we went soon...

the sound of packing :)

Is it just my weirdness but whenever I walk around I play a song in my head and I'll imagine that I'm in a music video...Yup, that's how twisted I am! haha

But enough about my weirdness, coz I know you'll agree that soundtracks get us through the day and even some of the most boring tasks.

Like right now, I'm about to pack again... so I'll try to share some effective packing songs. Read the idea in Patty Laurel's blog and it hit me... oo nga no (by golly your right!)...it makes packing bearable. I love to travel but I hate packing, I'd rather not bring anything and ride a bus than pack. One time we ended up buying clothes at a thrift store in Tagaytay just because we didn't plan on spending the night. haha!

But since I cannot do that for my upcoming trip...I have to get my packing skills and songs on :)

Pardon my schizo taste:

1. Empire State of Mind (Glee version) - maybe you're not going to New York, but it feel good to feel like you are :)

2. World Hold On (Bob Sinclair) - it's like saying "watch out world, here I come!" :)

3. Viva La Vida (Coldplay) - one of the sweetest things in life is traveling so feel it through this music :)

4. My Arms Keep Missing You (Danzel vs. Dj F.R.A.N.K.) - perfect for the 80's babies :)

5. On the Dancefloor (David Guetta feat. Will.i.am & Apl.de.ap) - doesn't hurt to dance while rolling those pants :)

6. Shooting Star Remix (David Rush feat. LMFAO and Kevin Rudolf) - another shake your booty song to finish that packing :)

7. Beat It (Fallout Boy feat. John Mayer) - that groovy 80's MJ hit only with more drums! perfect for pushing those shoes in that little footwear pocket haha!

8. Halo/Walking on Sunshine (Glee version) - makes you want to choose your sundresses over those oh so tired pants :)

9. 2012 (Jay Sean feat. Nicki Minaj) - makes you remember that packing is just the beginning, traveling and having the time of your life is the main event :)

10. Green Light (John Legend feat. Andre 3000) - cap off your packing with this song! :)

So remember, when you feel like packing's a drag, just turn on your music player and blast some music to get you through it...it really does wonders :)

Toodles! :)

FOOD

Aside from the view, I travel to taste different kinds of food. I remember that I went to Macau for the egg tarts and Cebu for the lechon :) I love eating. If I can only do two things my entire life it will be painting and eating... and If I can do only one, guess what will I choose? sleeping! gotcha! :)

If you're my Facebook friend and you'll look at my albums, you'll find more food shots than my face. My family and friends are fully supportive of my "foodtography" except when we're really really hungry. Otherwise, they'll let me do a short pictorial of the food first before gobbling it up.

Anyhoo, here's some of my favorite food finds from nooks and crannies I've been to:

First on my list is definitely:

Nathaniel's Buco Pandan

Best Buko Pandan ever. nuf said :) Nathaniel's is located in Pampanga but thankfully, there is already a branch in Timog, Quezon City :)

Kanin Club's Sinangag na Sinigang :) Kanin Club has a branch in Ayala Triangle Gardens and Ayala Technohub :)

A walk down Binondo street will surely fire up your appetite. Among the many foods there, I like fried siopao the best, its not exactly fried fried, but its good :)

Strawberry Cheesecake in Bag of Beans, the best cheesecake in my life so far :)
Bag of Beans is located in Tagaytay, one branch is just near the Rotonda

Often times, I also try food that are different...

Balaw Balaw rice from Balaw Balaw in Antipolo. I think this is pink because of the Aligue...(heart attack!)

Never mind my allergies to shrimp, Cindy's Tempura is hella good. I remember my lola used to treat me to this fastfood restaurant which rivaled Jollibee back in the days. And then I used to go to Robinson's Galleria's food court to eat the heavenly dish. Unfortunately, their branches here are all closed now. Their only branch is now located in Boracay (D'Mall).

Macau egg tarts are sweeter than the Lord Stow's here in the Philippines. You can find some in the food lane in Senado Square.

Cookbook Kitchen's or CBK Strawberry shortcake overload is a dessert made for the whole family. It's so big you cannot finish it alone. CBK has a branch in Eastwood but if you want a homey feel, you can go to their main branch in Mandaluyong. visit their site here: CBK

This is actually my birthday cake from 2009. This Lemon Walnut Torte by Gervy is simply divine! you can visit the site here: Gervy's

When it comes to food, I'll go cheap as cheap as this Dokito Frito from Andok's. Actually, this is my staple meal when in Boracay. You can find an Andok's just about any street in Manila.

Pinikpikan from Cafe by The Ruins In Baguio is so good. Pinikpikan refers to an Igorot style of cooking chicken. Learn how it is done here: how to cook Pinikpikan
Of course we'll finish this entry with a dessert...

Ebai's Apple Walnut cake from Narda's in Baguio. Yup, its being sold in a handicraft shop. The store has a good breakfast place right outside, which is also convenient if you want to catch breakfast from or to Baguio after a long bus ride, since its just near Victory Liner.

I would like to share more food shots but I'll save more for future entries :)
For now, Toodles :)

The Travel Test Dummy

I never really liked travelling until I grew up. I used to be a homebody and I hate packing (actually, I still do). But all that changed when I started working and travelling was the only way I, and my friends, can take a breather from the toxic everyday grind.

Eventually, travelling became something much more to me. More than escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city life, travelling became my sort of “spiritual” retreat which I need every once in a while to make sure I’m still on my so called path.

I’ve grown much from travelling since then. I guess, being exposed to different places and people with different cultures really do open your mind to a lot of possibilities and makes you realize that you are just a speck in this vast universe and there’s so much to be learned.

I don’t know how many blogs have I started and ended but hopefully this blog will be with me for the longest and long enough for me to share with you the many places out there waiting to be discovered.

Pardon me if I don’t update regularly or I might share some flashback travels every now and then…I really have a very bad memory.  J

PS. The title is just a spinoff of “crash test dummy” which is used for test driving cars. Why? because most of my travels involves trial and error. Let’s face it travelling is most fun when you’re out of your comfort zone, like getting lost or something like it J

That’s it for now.

Toodles! J