Summer Sunsets

Sunsets. Why I love sunsets? Well, they're pretty special when seen/being watched by the sea/beach. It is simply stunning. The colours are stunning and I prefer sunsets over sunrise. Here are a few snaps that I took this summer. Taken a few weeks ago at a beach in Mactan Cebu and at my very own municipality of Liloan.

Here's a summary of the snaps I took but will be sharing it individual below :)

"Serenity"

"Man and his playground"

"Vast"

"Take me away"

"Manginhas ta"

"Steady"

"Reflection"

"Straight ahead"

Isn't it beautifully captured? I have to thank my mobile phone for this. Below are photos from the municipality that I live in.

I have crossing this bridge since I was in HS and had always been captivated by the view specially now that it has been developed and enhance. Summer is one the many seasons I love simply when it's here in the Philippines and sunsets are always a sight to behold.

Phat Pho

Finally a Vietnamese restaurant at the heart of the city of Cebu! Been hearing a lot of good reviews about it for some time now and thankful that my good friend Monica asked me out for a food trip with options on Japanese or Vietnamese - which obviously we decided to pick on the latter. Here are a few snaps of the place and what we had during our dine in.

The place was typically normal in size if you're really putting the entire Vietnamese vibe in it - it was neat and organised and I love the high chairs and the open kitchen where you get to see what's cooking. Now, this part is somewhat too Japanese if I may say but I love it. The menu is precisely consists of entrees that were truly Vietnamese with the famous Pho in all variations available.

We decided to order a combination of some of the dishes we're familiar with.

Shrimp Salad, when I stayed in Saigon a few years ago, I never tried their salad but based on how this looked from this photo and how it tasted, I have to admit that I can't quite compare it to that of the authentic ones from Vietnam but it was super healthy. If you're body conscious then this dish is for you. It had mangoes, shrimps, sprouts and other vegetables which is different from the American salads we're used to.

Beef Pho, my favourite indulgence when I was in Saigon. But I have to say, I was surprised to see my bowl of Pho with all the herbs and sprouts in it. Unlike the traditional Vietnamese servings, they decided to put everything on the bowl. Guess, I was just used to having the Pho serving then the herbs and sprouts served on another plate - so I could opt to put which ones I prefer but I think this was quite neat. The taste? It was good. Definitely had the same ingredients as the ones in Saigon.

Fish Cake, the Vietnamese version of the Pinoy fish ball but served with onions (onion rings like) and was patterned flat which was definitely something. The sauce was good. A little sour - a little sweet.

Shrimp Rice Roll, another personal favourite from Saigon. The peanut sauce was totally thicker in texture than those in Saigon but it was precisely mixed. 

Chicken Satay, now, this is A MUST TRY dish. I've tasted normal Satay, Malaysian Satay and this one and this by Phat Pho is fantastic. The aroma and taste is classic yet it leaves you wanting more. Perfectly grilled and spiced.

Vietnamese Coffee, of course nothing beats the original but theirs is not bad at all. I just wished they'll add more condensed milk on their servings. 

Coconut Cream Puffs, HEAVEN! I'm a huge fan of cream puffs and this by far was the grandest tastiest of them all. 

All in all, it was a good dining experience. It made me really happy to know that there's a Vietnamese restaurant that captures the authentic Vietnamese vibe within Cebu. There's one in Manila and then in Davao but Phat Pho makes me really appreciate each bite because I can see how my meal is being cooked and the place is just too neat not to be praised. 

Phat Pho is an affiliate to the famous Abaca resorts in Mactan and knowing that it is, expect only the grandest servings with a little amp price but worth every cent. Phat Pho is located at Crossroads in Banilad Cebu. Price ranges from 150php to 300php. And since the place is quite small, I suggest you can in early for lunch or dinner. For inquiries, you can give them a ring via the number on the first photo I posted. :)

My food trip date yesterday. Our next stop is some authentic Korean resto in the city. Hopefully soon before the month ends :)

Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore

Just like the rest of the world travellers, we were fuzzed by the legendary Marina Bay Sands that in spite the fact, that we can only book an overnight stay because of our impromptu vacation, we obliged and the amazement of the structure was just surreal. Here are a few snaps from our stay, the only room available as per our travel agent was a deluxe space. Never really thought, that you have to book ahead of time if you want to stay in this five star hotel.

View from our room. We were placed at the Bay view room 'cos 'twas the only room available. Our view is the Gardens by the Bay.

So their deluxe room is consists of two single beds and an ample view of the bay. The bathroom's standard but they don't have bath tubs which somehow made me sad but it was neat. Maybe the other higher class rooms has one. What I like about the bathroom is the unique door - Japanese like and the condiments were all nice.

All controls are touch button. It was totally nice and the television is a computer /message machine too and you can browse through things you could do within the vicinity by clicking on the remote control. The best part is that all their telephone customer service operators are nice and friendly. Some are Filipinos and others race.

The highlight of them all - the unique infinity swimming pool on the topmost level - 'twas beautiful <3 p="">

Mind you, that freaking water is freaking mother effing COLD! I won't be posting my photo in it because I looked so terrible - I was shaking and my skin was literally having goose bumps under the water LOL but it had a nice view. My parents enjoyed it so much. I didn't bother to go over the edge - my fears of height was insane hahaha

Another sight to check at MBS is their Sky Deck Viewing area. Gives you a tremendous view of the fantastic landmarks in Singapore :)

Taken from a floor near the elevator. The building below is Marina shop where all branded brands you can think of stands and were the basement of it offers a boat ride within the mall itself and also the train station is below it. 

The only photo I took inside the Marina shop. LOL

All in all MBS was a great place to stay in - if you just want to stay inside the room and chill in the pool area. For more details check www.marinabaysands.com

Peninsula Excelsior Hotel Singapore

On my second time in Singapore but never really have any idea as to which hotel is the closest and at the heart of the city apart from The Fullerton Bay Hotel and Marina Bay Sands. The first time I stepped foot in Singapore was a few years back and I stayed at YMCA. 

This time around, we asked help from an agent to book a room for us since this travel was on the spot - I mean we literally decided to travel a week before the date we chose. But couldn't be more happier with the hotel that we stayed in. The Peninsula Excelsior Hotel is located at Coleman Rd., totally at the heart of it all. Everything was at walking distance - Clarke Quay, Raffles City, Raffles Exchange,  Suntec, Esplanade, Bugis and even China Town if you're not lazy. Not to mention, we had the best view of MBS and almost everything from our suite room.

We arrived around 7p in the hotel and this was the view from our suite room. We were situated on the 19th floor but I'm guessing the 20th to 21st floor had some serious gorge view :)

And this is around 1 in the morning. They basically shut off the lights from the water and the Esplanade but it was still breath-taking. At around 10p of every day the lights from the Marina Bay Sands sky deck dances indicating of a party like vibe on top.

View at around 7a. Singapore has late sunrise unlike the Philippines that rises at around 5.30 to 6a.

A view of the Clarke Quay on the side.

And the river fronting MBS on the other side. 

Entrance and condiments on the side. Oh! They provide unlimited coffee sachets and stuff :D

Living room.

King size bed and window seats on all sides of the room with moveable table, where you can place your drinks or food and stuff and the room has two televisions - one on the room side near the study table and the other on the living room. And since there were three of us, we opted for an extra bed for me which we placed on the living room and waking up to the view was just fascinating :)

Study table that has a perfect view of the bay :)

Bath tub that has glass windows that faces the living room. For this restroom, there were two doors (forgot to take a photo), one that opens from the entrance of the room and the other near the bed. Also forgot to the a photo of the shower but it was like that of Quest Hotel - glass separate toilet and shower. 

All in all, it was a good stay. I was too busy with schedule planning and stuff that I forgot to take photos of their buffet breakfast :D All reserved rooms comes with free breakfast but you have to be there earlier to enjoy the unlimited choices of food cos once you come in late then food is scarce. For room rates, you can check 

http://www.peninsulaexcelsiorhotelsingapore.com

I highly recommend this hotel for people who are more open to exploring the centre of Singapore by foot. They also have indoor pool and gym, restaurants, bars and sky deck on the 22nd floor where you can dine and have a view of the city. Again, pardon if I can't post the photos, it was either I was busy enjoying the sights or I was to lazy to snap and use my mobile and cameras. And if you're checking in, you can look for Shan via front desk and there are also other Filipinos who are working there :) And if you want the same room as ours, try booking for room 1914 or 2014 and 2114 :)

Pappa Rich

 At the heart of the city are noodle shops and restaurants but on top of Raffles Xchange sits Pappa Rich. More than just a noodle house, they have set meals that are surely fit for the budget which suits anyone's taste buds. They're also Halal certified :)

Chicken and Prawn Noodle Soup - spicy :D Really good tasting.

I forgot the name of this but it's beef and noodles.

Chicken Satay - A MUST :)

All in all it was good dining experience and the price is just right. Forgot to take some photos of the place but it was neat. Price starts from 7sgd up.

Thye Moh Chan

My mother is a fan of HOPIA. I don't know what is it in Chinese but that's how we call it in the Philippines and in the shopping centre that we went to in China Town, this place was full of life near the entrance and we wonder what the fuss was, only to find ourselves buying a box full of assorted buns.

Apart from Hopia they have other Chinese traditional delicacies which are too tempting for words.

I have to say - they are really neat and well organised. 

Options options options - we tried them all and they were all so good. Like seriously, the hopias that we have here have nothing compared to it :D You can also buy individually or by 8 or 10 pieces :)

China Town Foodie

OK. I have this slight problem for this entry. I basically forgot the name of the restaurant where we ate :D But one things for sure, it was at a mall in China Town :D

First stop is this rice with meat which I also saw on the streets of Saigon a few years back but never had the chance to taste it because it was only served in Pork and I don't eat Pork but this one's has different variants and I got to try and taste the Black Pepper Chicken thingy. It's wrapped in banana leaves and I think it was precooked before placed on the leaves :D 

Choice choices choices :D It's endless :D And it's for a really good price :)

The taste was so so. It was sweet and I'm not really a fan of sweet flavoured dishes. Sticky rice yes. :) They also sell other Chinese traditional food and the price is just right.

Next stop is a restaurant at B2 of the mall. Chinese Malay. And their specialty is Fish's Head Curry.

On top of the Fish head curry is roti. The sauce is really good. I think that when it comes to curry flavoured dishes, Singapore comes next to India :)

Sambal Kangkong. We also have this in Cebu in some restaurants.

Sweet 'n Sour Fish

Prawns

Seafoods fried rice.

All in all, it was a good meal. Their serving is just enough, so it doesn't force you to over eat anything. Price is averagely fine and service is good. There are still so much to explore at China Town but I my time was limited and I was with my parents but maybe if I was alone or with friends, I would dig deeper on the food scenes. :)