Sumo Sam Davao

I've written an entry about Sumo Sam a few months ago when my parents and I dined in at their first Davao branch and when I had lunch with my mother some time ago but I'm writing another one because the new revised menu for their Davao division has some fancy funky twist with their sushi rolls. 

They're basically an enhanced Japanese Restaurant because they don't have the traditional Japanese settings for tables and chairs. It's very contemporary which suits and justifies the current generation of clients.

Kimchi Pork Ramen that my father ordered. Didn't taste it because I don't eat pork but as per my dad it was good. On our second visit in one week, he ordered the same thing, so must be good :)

Curry Chicken Ramen. 'Twas my first time to try out their ramen (I'm a Rai Rai Ken fanatic but I don't know of a branch in Davao) but must say it was good but I can also say that I'd be able to recreate the same exact thing if I want to :D

Salmon... (I forgot the name) but it's a MUST if you're not into sushis and ramen and noodles. It's a classic grilled that's a little off for a Japanese Restaurant but it's so good and the serving is good for sharing :)

Beef something (pardon me, I'm not really good with remembering names) but it's so so. I don't really see myself ordering this 'cos how it was cooked was just basic - the usual way of cooking beef that is.

Rice topping is always a favourite but this comes off as dry :D But nonetheless the beef was cooked tenderly :)

"Davao Roll" The name itself is catchy because we're in Davao and they've created something on their menu that's purely from their own. And it's a blast of tastiness that I just love :)

"Mt. Apo Roll" Ever had Durian on your sushi roll? Then this is the real shiz people. It has a Durian in it and I never thought it will blend well with rice but it does :D

This one... I forgot the name but it's a MUST TRY on their menu :D

I'm big on Sushis, Ramen and other Oriental Asian dishes and Sumo Sam never fails me when it comes to the very basic traditional dishes that are purely filled with flavours. They've got branches almost everywhere in the entire Philippines. I'd like to believe that we Filipinos are really into dining out. I guess, when you work 6 days a week and you only got one day off, you'd love to just dine and try out new stuff on the menu. And most people in my country does that :)

Skinmode Tattoo Shop Davao

Saw this tattoo signage in front of Ateneo de Davao University some time ago and since then I've been eyeing to drop by and inquire. Initially, I just wanted to ask for their price range but I ended up getting inked. Well, I've been wanting to get a new one anyway and must say it was all worth it.

The shop has a mini "shop" on its first floor that sells tattoo shiz and other useful accessories like earrings, colourful shoe laces, piercings stuff, rasta inspired bracelets and so on. They have a vast collection of skulls and war figures which was really cool and the place was neat and really artsy. My dad was with me when I went there and he really had fun browsing through what they were selling. They're also selling imitation athlete brand bags :D

I already had the design in mind before I went in that night. Luckily the artist turned it into reality. He's second generation of artist in his family. His father is the main artist of the shop but he and his younger brother has started practicing as well. He's only 18 and had been tattooing for three years and I must say he really has gentle hands. No trace of blood on my new ink. All clean and it's already healed by now. Prolly be going back when I'm in town.

PS Self shots were taken after I got ink when I got home. See how neatly it was done. No trace of blood or scarring or messy ink trace. Really awesome kid. Offered to give me a free full back tattoo - I would but I won't :) It would probably hurt like nuts.

For more infos, kindly check the photo below. Look for Bruno aka Jun (pronounced as John) if you want to get an ink :)

Waterfront Davao

At the heart of Davao city lies The Waterfront Insular Hotel that is adjacent to the famous Samal Island. It was my first time to visit the place and check out the food. Here are a few photos.

Since it is a resort, the lobby area and the restaurant are open air spaces.

The food on the menu that we tried out. Prices ranged from 200php to 1000php. If you noticed, it's mostly pizza because the restaurant was an Italian and pizza and pastas were their specialities. Taste was so so, very traditional when it comes to ingredients but I love the pizza crusts that were thinly created. Must be proud, their chefs were Filipinos.

The famous Mango Shake, to which the Philippines is known for.

The area is surrounded by coconut trees which should be because it is fronting the sea, the name Waterfront literally applies to this hotel. It is very different from their branch in Cebu. Waterfront Cebu is more elegant and the restaurants are far more creative when it comes to services and food presentations. 

If you're curious as to how The Waterfront Cebu looks like, check this: 

http://www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/waterfront/waterfront-cebu-city-hotels-casino/

Banana Beach

At the heart of Tagum City in Davao Del Norte, lies a beach within an old banana plantation thus the name "Banana Beach" came to life.

First to experience a different twist on the usual white sand beaches that people world wide are used to - less chaos and uber relaxing area. Not to mention, they have their own mini forest where you can tour around and experience a little bit of the jungle with the monkeys and wild boars. Walk on their hanging bridges or simply feed on pieces or just relax and unwind on their mini lakes or by the shore. Almost everything is there.

Entrance and lobby area. The place is too huge that you need to have your own ride or ride their cart to go to the pool - beach and restaurant bar area. Room rate is quite expensive. Starts at around 100usd (good for two people) and add on person is at 15usd. We didn't do an overnight because it wasn't wise enough.

Ceiling fan on the cottage that we rented. Sorry forgot to take a photo of our rent but it was really nice. It had foamed chairs and a table and some pillows. Kinda like a Japanese inspired thing but more on western - european - mediterranean thing.

It was low tide when we came so there wasn't much sea to catch or indulge on. The sands aren't your typical white, it's semi black almost like the ones near my home in Cebu :)

Essentials :)

My Dad

The famous Durian - Davao's National Fruit :)

The food were OK but it takes forever for them to be delivered on our table. Prolly an hour or so. So you have to make sure to order everything you need. Price ranged from around 100php to 650php.

Photo with my dear cousin Christian who had his hair bleached and stuff for summer. :D

A great experience but I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. I want to check out their rooms one day and join the tour around their mini jungle - it costs around 7usd per person. We didn't have much time when we went there, maybe next time. :)

It is an hour and half ride from Davao City. Depends on the mode of traffic. I think the advantage of this place from the other resorts in Davao is that - it's very quite - solemn and uncrowded. 

PS Entrance is consumable, meaning you can order food and drinks with it but have to pay for excesses on the bill ;)

Manila - Makati Family Bond

My last Manila visit meant family bonding. My grandmother (father) just died a few days when I flew in to join my Aunt, her boyfriend, my uncles, cousins and father. My grandmother died in the US and her remains were buried there, so, we who are her in the Philippines, were unable to pay tribute and visit her remains but nonetheless, I think my lola had a peaceful death and that she didn't want any of us to worry nor to grief like those that we see in the cinemas. 

Spending time with my immediate family whom I haven't seen for a long time was fun. Here are a few photos that I took during my stay.

Makati - Manila Philippines! The capital city of the country always makes me feel so awed specially with the tall buildings rising like lego shiz. The first photo is said to be the tallest building in Makati - an oozing 72 floors condominium. Took the pic from the hotel that I stayed. Then photos while on the cab and then while we were getting some cocktails from another hotel within the vicinity that we stayed. I love city lights. I basically want to live within the city, just like in Saigon. PS, Manila is a fast phase place, so if you're looking for a lax - relax place to live - MANILA - MAKATI is not for you. And being that, vending machines like the one I've posted above are readily available everywhere. Subways, Bus Stations, just about every where :)

Round and about The Fort Bonifacio High Street in Makati. Must say, this place is where the rich and famous usually hang out. It has a huge park in the center, it's a jogging area during weekends and pets are welcome in all shops even in restaurants :) And most top brands are here :) And there are also residential buildings and basically new structures are on the rise almost every day. But getting a cab is quite difficult in this place. Must have your own car, if you'll be chilling here passed 7p.

My uncle Nikko, Caitlin (Yvanna's uber young Mother) along with the rest of the gang went in for a little shopping trip at Greenhills. If you're from the Philippines and if you've been in the Philippines then you've probably have heard of this crazy shopping center where all brand imitations you can think of and "didn't pass quality" brands are. And basically the price is up to 50% of and more. And the place where we stayed in Makati was at the RED DISTRICT. So imagine my surprised when I walked out at night and saw all these signage on the bars and we did some rounds and for the first time in my life - I saw girls half my age - my age almost naked dancing on the floor as foreigners and even Filipinos enjoying. I pitied them but this is reality, I told myself but it's a sad reality.

It was a good mini vacation for me and this is an uber late post but nonetheless, I was able to jot it down and now I can erase 'em photos on my mobile. I've lived in Manila - Makati for 7 months before and the lifestyle is totally different from Cebu. I love to shop and I must say, everything is in the capital but I wouldn't trade Cebu for it. Cebu is stress free and it's a very small city and you can do a lot of things here and almost everything is also here and it's less traffic and less chaotic. But I love traveling to Manila - Makati. Always makes me giddy when I'm bound for a visit because I know - I'll be able to get good bargains and great deals :) And some of my friends are also based there :) 

Until next travel session :)