Category: Travel

About Travel

Subscribe Feeds

What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan

Posted on by xerox

Although it is impossible for me to sample everything that Taiwan has to offer in a span of 5 days, these are my favorites out of everything that I tried when I was there.

image

Hot Pot

A notable Japanese influence on the Taiwanese cuisine, hot pot dishes are sometimes called shabu-shabu in Taiwan and they are very popular throughout the country. Literally a hot pot filled with water, ingredients are cooked by placing them into the pot piece by piece as the water boils.

Because Taiwan has an abundant array of the freshest, organic ingredients, this dish requires no condiments as it already possesses natural flavors that would make it delicious as it is.

image

Taiwanese Tempura
Photo credit: Jude Bacalso

Another Japanese-influenced grub is the Taiwanese tempura. Although it is more of an oden than it is tempura, these ready-to-eat steamed fish cakes are available in most Taiwanese 7/11 branches. They come in different variants and are served with sweet sauce or hot sauce. Lobster roll and fish tofu are not to be missed.

Bubble Milk Tea 

Taiwan is the birth place of bubble milk tea so it only makes sense to have it when you are there. Although I have not tried it at some artsy cafe, I did grab a bottle of bubble milk tea from a convenience store and it was really good.

image

Oolong Tea

A soothing cup of oolong tea is must when visiting Taiwan. Very similar to green tea, it has a rich fragrance with smooth and refreshing finish. There are several varieties of oolong tea and depending on how it was crafted, it can taste light, robust, fruity, floral, earthy, and/or smokey. 

Another reason to drink oolong tea apart from its taste is its health benefits. Oolong tea is not only rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals; it is said to reduce obesity and stress, boost the immune system, control diabetes, improve mental health performance, reduce high blood pressure,

lower the risk of getting cancer and promote healthy bone, skin and dental health.

image

Marigold Infused Water

I’ve always thought that marigolds are merely ornamental plants that repel mosquitoes and other garden pests. Turns out it’s more than that. Marigold has been highly valued for its therapeutic uses. It has antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties which make it a very useful plant. It is also rich in antioxidants that help fight and prevent cancer. At Forest 18 Farm, they infuse their water with marigold leaves and it tastes so refreshing!

Taiwan Beer

Taiwan Beer is an award-winning pale lager that has its distinctive flavor coming from the best locally grown Formosa rice. Its mild and smooth taste makes it

pretty wonderful on its own or a good accompaniment to any kind of food. 

image

Gao Jha
Photo credit: Jude Bacalso

Unique to Yilan County, gao jha is a specialty street food sold at Luo Dong Night Market. This seemingly plain, unpretentious snack is anything but simple. It is made up of minced chicken, pork, and shrimp meat which is simmered in chicken stock for several hours until it forms into a paste. Once cooled, it is cut into squares, dipped in cornstarch and then deep fried until golden and crispy. 

Gao jha has a crunchy crust with a soft and gooey inside that is bursting with exquisite, complex flavor. Be careful though as you bite into these tasty treats because they are served scalding hot!

image

Mulberry Pasta

A signature dish of Fairy Story Village Organic Farm in Yilan County, this savory pasta is made with organic mulberry sauce then topped with crunchy pork floss and chopped spring onions. Definitely one-of-a-kind!

image

Xiao Long Bao

Xiao long bao are steamed buns that have a delicate handmade dough with a savory meaty soup filling. It is a culinary wonder how these magical buns are engineered in a way that it is able to hold the soup and meat with its thin, pillowy soft dough. Eating

these dumplings do require patience, restraint and maybe a wee bit of practice because you don’t want to get your tongue scalded with the piping hot soup.

I got lucky to have had them at Din Tai Fung, a Michelin star awarded restaurant famous for their xiao long bao. This deserves its own post (link to follow).

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

Taiwan Travel Guide

Posted on by xerox
image

Taiwan is a small island nation that lies off the southeastern coast of Mainland China. Its capital, Taipei, serves as the economic and technological center of the country. Although this vibrant urbanscape is the face of Taiwan, there is more to see outside of the bustling metropolis.

Once baptized by Portuguese sailors “Ilha Formosa”, meaning beautiful island, Taiwan is worth visiting for its natural scenery.

Thanks to Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association, I was able to
behold the beauty of the Taiwanese countryside and experience its serenity.

image

Photo credit: Xtreme Photos

Taiwan is blessed with several scenic mountain ranges and spectacular landscapes. Many of the visit-worthy rural destinations there are leisure farms. These hidden wonders

await for those who seek an authentic country lifestyle. They

serve the freshest food and offer fun recreational activities that will give you a deeper appreciation for nature and agricultural life.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR TAIWAN TOUR

If you want to explore and experience Taiwan, you will need the following:

Valid Philippine Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity.

For Philippine passport holders with valid US, UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and/or Schengen visas, you can enter Taiwan visa free. All you have to do is to fill up the form on this website and print it out. You will be granted multiple entry within 90 days and the duration of stay is 30 days which will start the next day upon arrival in Taiwan.

For Philippine passport holders that do not have any of the visas mentioned above, you will be granted single entry within 9 days and the duration of stay is 14 days which will start next day upon arrival in Taiwan should your visa be approved.

For those who don’t hold a passport yet, you can go to the DFA website to see the full list of requirements.

NSO Certified Birth Certificate
The birth certificate must be issued within a year ago.

NSO Certified Marriage Contract
This is for married applicants only.

Supporting Documents
Round trip airline tickets, Itinerary, Bank certificates, Income Tax Return Form, Certificate of Employment, Photocopy of Company ID and/or Certificate of Business Registration

2 Recent Passport Photos
Your photo should be taken with a white background. The photo dimensions must be 1.5 x 2 inches.

Completed Travel Visa Application Form
Fill up the form on the official website, print it out and sign it. Attach one of the passport photos on the form and submit it along with your passport and other supporting documents within 15 days to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

TAIPEI ECONOMIC & CULTURAL OFFICE IN THE PHILIPPINES
41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati
Tel: (+632) 887-6688
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:45AM-4:45PM
Applications: Mon-Fri, 8:45AM-11:45PM
Releasing: Mon-Fri, 1:45PM-4:45PM
Website: taiwanembassy.org
Email: phl@mofa.gov.tw

A receipt will be given which you or a representative need to present in order to claim your passport. For fees and processing time, please refer to Visa Application Fees.

Once your visa application is approved, you will receive your passport

with your visa stamped inside.

For hassle-free visa application, I suggest you file your application through an accredited travel agency.

Do note that you will have to shell out a little more money for the convenience.

I recommend Ma’am Jane Syjuco

of

Everbright Travel Agency. She is amazing! She made sure everything is organized and that all my needs are taken care of.

CURRENCY, EXCHANGE RATE, FEES AND TAXES

Currency
The currency of Taiwan is Taiwan New Dollar. The currency code is TWD and the currency symbol is NT$.

Exchange Rate


Travel Tax

Upon departure from the Philippines, all Philippine nationals are expected to pay 1620 PHP for the travel tax.

TIMEZONE, WEATHER, AND CLIMATE

Did you know that Taiwan has four seasons?
Spring (March – May) << rainy
Summer (June – August) << hot and humid
Fall (September – November) << believed to be the perfect time to visit
Winter (December – February) << snows in the mountains!

The weather and climate vary from one part of the country to another. This is due to its topography and the fact that it belongs to both tropical and subtropical climate zones. It is best to check the forecast before visiting the country so you can dress appropriately.

LANGUAGE

Although the official language of Taiwan is Standard Chinese Mandarin, most natives speak Hokkien Chinese or Hakka Chinese. English is not widely spoken unless you’re in the capital. So it’s important to have translator or, better yet, just learn a few key Chinese phrases when visiting the country. Here are a few examples:

Ni hao – Hello
Xiexie or To sia – Thank you
Ho Jia – Delicious
Duo Shao? – How Much?

HOW TO GET THERE

image

Take a direct flight from Manila to Taipei with Philippine Airlines, China Airlines, or Eva Airlines. Travel time is 3 hours. You can also take an indirect flight from Cebu or Davao to Taipei with Cebu Pacific Air.

You can check the flight schedules on Skyscanner here.
Please note that the rates and schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

WHERE TO STAY

There are many easy-to-use and secure websites that can help you choose your accommodation based on your personal preferences and budget.

Agoda
I’ve booked hotels through Agoda a couple of times and I love it. They have a great network of hotels to choose from at competitive prices.

AirBNB
I’ve also booked through AirBNB and this is a personal favorite. AirBNB offers the most unique travel experiences that can perfectly suit your budget and needs.

Booking, Trivago & Hostelworld
I personally haven’t used Booking, Trivago, and Hostelworld before but they also have good deals and a wide selection of hotels to choose from.

But here are my personal favorite places to stay when in Taiwan:

image

Fairy Story Village Organic Farm in Yilan
Photo credit:  童話村親子有機農場民宿

image

Tai-yi Red Maple Resort in Nantou
Photo credit: 楓樺台一渡假村

image

Hua Lu Flower Leisure Farm in Maioli
Photo credit: 花露休閒農場

image

Roll In Farm in Taichung

Photo credit: Hotels.com

WHAT TO DO

Eat, drink and eat some more!

Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort

Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm

Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm

Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

Pear picking at Dong Rong Farm

Grape Picking at Zheng Hsiung Farm

Experience Taiwan Night Market (link to follow)

Dine at Din Tai Fung (link to follow)

Shopping at Taipei 101

What to do in Las Piñas – Visit Yexel’s Toy Museum

Posted on by xerox

Yexel’s Toy Museum is a four-story house turned museum in Las Piñas City that showcases thousands of toys and other pop culture memorabilia.

image

Photo credit: Yexel’s Toy Museum

The museum resembles gigantic Lego bricks stacked together – making it distinct and hard to miss.

Owned by Yexel Sebastian, an avid toy collector and curator of the museum, he started collecting toys since 1989 and hasn’t stopped since.

Trivia: Yexel is the older brother of now deceased Jam Sebastian, one-half of the Philippine YouTube sensation JaMich.

For 300 PHP, you get to see his eclectic toy collection that would instantly send you on a nostalgia trip back to your childhood.

image

If I were to take a photo a day of each toy in this Imeldific collection, it would literally take me ages to complete. You just have to go here and see them for yourself.

Aside from various toys, each room of the museum displays a different diorama with life-size figures which are built and created by Yexel himself and his team.

image

Anime/Manga Room
Get a chance to stand right next to your favorite anime/manga characters in real life. I don’t know what Jack Skellington is doing here though. He seems a little lost. Hehe.

image

Disney Room
Looks like they added a new character to The Incredibles… Introducing Mr. Inedible. LOL!

image

Super Mario Room
Sharing the same room with Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Princess Peach, and Bowser makes me feel like I just stepped into the video game of my childhood!

image

Star Wars Room

I was disappointed that Star Wars got the smallest room of the museum and that a life-size Darth Vader figure was not anywhere in sight at all.

image
image

Movies Room

image
image

Iron Man Room
The hall containing stunning replicas of the various Iron Man suits is popular among the crowd.

image
image

Transformers Room

Standing 18 feet tall, it is the largest Optimus Prime bust in Asia. I read from a blog post that its construction cost 2 million pesos and it took 2 years to build. This incredibly detailed Transformers robot replica features light-up components complete with background music for a dramatic effect.

Yexel’s Toy Museum is a fantastic place for all ages.

Those who are self-proclaimed manga, anime, comic book, movie or video game geeks will especially enjoy here.

Some argue that the entrance fee is a little too steep. There is some truth to that considering the poor air-conditioning and unpolished look of some rooms. However, that can be overlooked. Occasional promos do pop up at Metrodeal anyway so you might wanna check that out.

Yexel’s Toy Museum is open Mondays through Sundays, 10 AM to 8 PM.

To get there, take a tricycle or taxi from SM Southmall to Pilar Village.

Where to Eat in Alabang – Brunch at Cafe Breton

Posted on by xerox

Westgate Center is a lifestyle district in Alabang where a number of casual restaurants and cafes are located – one of them is Cafe Breton.

image

Serving breakfast as early as 7 in the morning, Cafe Breton is a place where expats and locals come together for their gourmet crepes, exquisite coffee, and all-day breakfast.

image
image

The contrasting wall colors, wooden furniture, and unique accent pieces add a country rustic charm that makes the cafe look timeless and inviting.

image

The focal point of this cafe is the kitchen where you can watch them prepare your food right in front of your very eyes.

image

True to their claim, they do have excellent coffee! Their cappuccino is rich in flavor with a smooth, velvety foam on top. I think it’s the ultimate morning pick-me-up.

image

Cafe Breton’s menu has an extensive breakfast selection that includes crepes, galettes, sandwiches, desserts, coffee and many more. Price ranges between 150 to 300 PHP per dish.

image

La Primavera Veggie Scramble
A creamy omelet with a medley of tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and gruyere cheese served with buttered toast.

image

Adam and Eve
A delicate crepe stuffed with soft, stewed apples topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a dash of cinnamon.

image

I may not be an early bird but I do love me some great brunch!

The combination of good customer service and pleasant dining experience made love Cafe Breton instantly. We’ll definitely come back here if we can.

Where to Stay in Filinvest City, Alabang on a Budget – Studio City

Posted on by xerox

Many moons ago, my boyfriend and I had to go to Manila to attend a friend’s wedding held at Palazzo Verde (formerly Fernbrook Gardens). While I was looking for the perfect compromise between convenience, comfort, and affordability, I stumbled upon a Studio City condominium unit on Airbnb. Only a 5-minute walk away from a 7-Eleven store, a laundry shop and several shopping centers, I knew I found a winner!

image
image

For only 845 PHP a night, this fully furnished condominium unit for two comes with air-conditioning, WiFi and cable TV.

image

It also has a cozy kitchen space where you can make your own coffee, cook food and stash some goodies in the fridge.

image

Although they don’t have a heater (a minor turnoff), the shower and toilet room are squeaky clean and that’s all that really matters.

image

While I was prepping to get settled in, someone already felt right at home.

image

Oh, did I mention Studio City has an outdoor pool? Awesome, innit? For the health buffs, they have a gym and basketball court too.

image

But what made me love Studio City was the panoramic view of the cityscape come night time. And when it gets dark, there’s nothing to fear here since the place is well-guarded and well-lit.

If you’re looking for a place to retreat in Filinvest City that’s conveniently located, safe, comfortable, clean and affordable, look no more. Book this Studio City condo unit on Airbnb now.

Click here to enjoy a credit of 1200 PHP on your first AirBNB booking.

Simplejoys Bakery and Cafe

Posted on by xerox

Ever since I found out about Simplejoys Bakery and Cafe last year, my boyfriend and I have been quietly trying to hunt it down. The elusive cafe proved to be a challenging quest for both of us and it was only after our third failed attempt of locating it that we finally found it along J.R Borja and Burgos streets (close to the new bridge) in Cagayan de Oro City.

image

This whimsically designed concept café is a haven for those who love everything quaint and charming. Obviously, I’m part of that statistic. Hehe 🙂

image
image

Fully adorned with dainty decor, vintage finds, and shabby chic furnishing in pastel colors, it creates the perfect space to duck in for some afternoon tea and desserts.

image

Still full from our fill at Wild Onion, we opted to get some of their desserts only. We had their green tea gelato, chocolate avocado cake, and ube halaya frappe. While I genuinely enjoyed the ube halaya frappe and green tea gelato, the chocolate avocado cake is in a league of its own.

image

The cake comes with a chocolate coated breakfast cereal base and the middle is smeared with a silky, creamy avocado filling. Its topped with a rich chocolate ganache that has just the right amount of sweetness and then sprinkled with fine cocoa powder. This cake made a great impression on my first bite! I’m afraid to say that I’ve finally found a cake that I enjoy as much as Micky’s Cakes (if not, more).

Whoever thought that avocado and chocolate go well together is a freakin’ genius! If there’s only one thing you should try from their menu, it should be the chocolate avocado cake. For the love of everything holy, don’t miss it.

Simplejoys Bakery and Cafe should be expecting to see me more often. Not only is their place cozy and makes for great photo ops but the desserts are also worth the journey!

Wild Onion Pub and Grub

Posted on by xerox

Centerpoint is the newest dining and entertainment hub located at Domingo Velez Street in Cagayan de Oro City. Lined with karaoke lounges, bars and restaurants, this strip truly comes alive at night.

image

One of the places to visit is a gastropub called Wild Onion Pub and Grub. They offer a casual dining experience and provide tasty food and specialty drinks at reasonable prices.

Classic Burger and Hiroshima Bombs are some of their best sellers so, of course, we had to try those.

image

Classic Burger 
Branded for a personal touch, this burger boasts a thick beef patty, packed with veggies that’s sandwiched between fluffy, tender buns. It also came with a side of crispy fries.

image

Cucumber Lemonade
Served refreshingly ice-cold, this delightful mix of cucumber juice and lemon juice is good for relieving the summer heat.

Hiroshima Bombs
These are croquettes filled with mashed potatoes, mozzarella cheese and jalapeno bits served with a sour cream aioli dip. The Hiroshima Bombs are the bomb! They were flavorsome and surprisingly substantial. To all fellow potato lovers, this is everything you need.

I actually prefer this one over the burger.

image

Dining at Wild Onion Pub and Grub was such a pleasure. The waiting staff was very accommodating and the food is good.

We will be back soon to try more of their food and when it’s not too early for cocktails. Happy Ending and Gugmang-Giatay sound too interesting too pass. Haha!

Wild Onion Pub and Grub offers:
15% discount on the total food bill every Monday
15% discount on the total food bill every Tuesday for Nurses, every Wednesday for Bank Employees and every Thursday for Teachers

Swimming at Ultrawinds Mountain Resort

Posted on by xerox
image

Another attraction at Ultrawinds Mountain Resort is their Infinity Pool.

Gaze at the wonderful scenic backdrop as you have a dip and cool off during warmer days.

image

After your swim, you can enjoy watching the sun set here while sipping your favorite cocktail.

image

Sadly, we weren’t able to take a splash into the pool. However, we did enjoy the view. More reasons to come back I suppose. 🙂

Click here for more deets about Ultrawinds Mountain Resort.

Read about our glamping experience at Ultrawinds Mountain Resort
For insider tips about glamping go here.

Dining Al Fresco at Ultrawinds Mountain Resort

Posted on by xerox

Ultrawinds Mountain Resort served a special Valentine’s Day menu for only 449 PHP per person.

image

Their rustic tablescape looked like it was taken right out from a Pinterest board.

image

The open air venue featured an exceptional view of the city lights.

image

But we chose to eat indoors, away from the blasting live entertainment. The buffet dinner started at 6:30 PM.

image

While the variety of food was not that extensive, the well-curated menu was impressive! The menu included Bagnet Salad, Seafood Herbed Pasta, Caramelized Pork Belly with Spicy Apple Slaw, Buttered Roast Beef with Rosemary, Grilled Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce and Dark Chocolate Frozen Cake.

Wine pairings were also available for an additional charge. We enjoyed the food so much we kept refilling our plates. Hehe! 🙂

image

The following day, we went back to the restaurant to check out the panoramic view of Cagayan de Oro during the day. But first, burgers. We sampled their BBQ and Cuban mini burgers.

I prefer the latter over the former.

Compared to our awesome dinner, they were alright.

image

The overlooking view of the verdant landscape during the day is nothing short of breathtaking.

Indeed, it makes an enchanting backdrop for events.

With soothing ambient music playing in the background, I can’t help but feel relaxed as the gentle wind caressed my face.

If you want to see the city of Cagayan de Oro in a different perspective with a relaxing atmosphere, visit Ultrawinds Mountain Resort now.

Know more about Ultrawinds Mountain Resort Menu here

Read about our glamping experience at Ultrawinds Mountain Resort
Click here for more deets about Ultrawinds Mountain Resort

For insider tips about glamping go here

Our Glamping Essentials

Posted on by xerox

Try something new this Lenten holiday and plan for an impromptu glamping trip – be on the mountaintop, beach side or even just right outside your neighbor’s backyard!

Glamping is a portmanteau word made by the combination of words glamour and camping. To put it simply, glamping means to camp in style.

image

And nothing says glamping like a stylish, utilitarian bag that fits everything you need.

Pack sunscreen, toiletries, mosquito repellents, and an itch soothing balm. If possible, choose organic products for a healthier and greener choice. Also, bring a bottle of lavender oil for a good night’s sleep and a well-stocked first aid kit in case of emergency.

image

Of course, no glamping is ever complete without a S’mores Campfire Kit. Here, I used a recycled plastic food tray and placed in a stick, marshmallows, a Hershey’s chocolate bar and Graham crackers that I’ve divided into sections along marked lines.

Most importantly, never forget to bring lots of water and your campfire meals. When it comes to meals, you can choose to bring a handful of ingredients to cook at the campsite or have prepacked make-ahead meals for a more convenient option.

image

For our brunch at Ultrawinds Mountain Resort, we brought with us what’s easy to prepare. But as a foodie, I still couldn’t sacrifice flavor over convenience. So we had Na’a Italian Sausage, Delimondo Garlic, and Chili Corned Beef, Pili & Pino Banana and Cacao Granola, Swiss Miss Chocolate drink and Nestle Fresh Milk.

image

If you’re planning to cook at the campsite, bring outdoor cook and dining sets such as portable stove, butane gas canister, can opener, kettle, collapsible pans and other miscellaneous items like matches, plates, spoons, forks and pocket knife.

Always keep in mind to be responsible for your own waste. The environment is important to each and all of us so leave no trace. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for garbage or spilled food. Pack it in, pack it out.

Should you start a campfire, build a mound fire or use an established fire pan. Keep your fire to a manageable size and make sure to put it out when you break camp.

image

Lastly, just relax, enjoy and take Instagram-worthy photos! 😉

Read about our glamping experience at Ultrawinds Mountain Resort
Click here for more deets about Ultrawinds Mountain Resort