Sunnysideup Thank you series: My love affair with Milk Tea

When I was in high school, I began to drink teas as Iced Teas. I used the concentrated powdered version of Lipton and added Kalamansi. I never was a fan of the Nestea ready to drink teas even then because they were too sweet and sugar was the only thing I tasted. I was then introduced tea leaves when one of my mom's closest friend offered us tea after dinner. From then on I always drank tea leaves - Oolong, Black or Green Tea etc.

As I learned more about the various teas, my love for milk tea also grew. It started with my first sip of Red Pearl Milk Tea in Easy Way, Sta Lucia branch. I believe I am one of the few early fans of this then new beverage trend in Manila and was truly sad to see it close shop.

Quickly was the next brand I began to enjoy but the in the next few years, their menu focused
more on sweet options like shaved ice Taro, Chocolate and other flavored juices so my favorite Milk Tea is now only available in a handful stores. By the way, I also tried Chowking's Nai Cha but it too is just too sweet for my taste.

Here's a few of my Milk Tea Moments

In the next years for my life, our move to China gave my tastebuds a greater appreciation for Milk Teas :) Our 2 year stay offshore allowed me to taste different brands like EDO and AH-2 in the Mainland, Comebuy in Macau, and other brands in Hong Kong.

Needless to say, I am hooked on Milk Teas. Now that we are back in Manila I am glad to find Serenitea. Finally I am able to enjoy the same quality of Milk Teas I used to enjoy in China. After several tries of their milk tea variands - Royal, Assam, Hokkaido etc - I now know my favorite. For now it's the brown sugary taste of Okinawa with pearl sinkers and 0% sugar. Kudos to Serenitea for their growing number of branches. My go-to branch is Eastwood. I am truly addicted; just last week I think I had 3 large orders of milk tea. Imagine if I had one branch next door? Oh Oh :P

By the way, I also like Bubble Tea in SM Megamall. I've tried their Royal milk tea and it's also good.

Will always LOVE, LOVE, LOVE tea, especially milk tea!

sunnysideup perspectives: The Gift of Travel

When I have children, if there is one privilege or gift I would give them, it would be the gift of travel. Of course needless to say, I also want my children to go to the best school, attend summer workshops, play and appreciate every moment of their childhood . . . etc. I want to help and provide them with the opportunity to discover themselves and be the best they can be.

I just came to thinking that who I am, how I view and live life today was greatly affected by my exposure and travel to different places and countries. Big thanks to my parents, former employers, and my hubby, I was able to visit difference parts of the globe, particularly countries in Asia, Europe and North America. Travel not only brings joy and pleasure, more importantly, I think it provides us with a bigger perspective - it makes us more openminded, knowledgeable, and even tolerant of differences in culture, beliefs and attitudes. It challenges our original beliefs and truths - those we learned in school, organizations, and churches. Travel can help create and develop our views, beliefs and personal truths. It allows us to experience life in different ways. It reminds us that the world is not us and it does not revolve around us. We are just a part of a whole and there is so much more to see, understand, and enjoy.

Thank you series: My 3-day Island Adventure at Nagsasa, Zambales

It's been a while since my last blog. It has been a challenge for me to maintain this blog as I only get to post entries when I'm in Manila or on trips that give me unblocked access to blogspot.

Anyway, before I digress any further I just want to share about my weekend trip to Nagsasa, Zambales. We spent 3 days and 2 nights in this place. We had a tour guide assist us since this is our first visit there. Our trip would have been better though if we had hired a better one but the place made us forget all the hassles we experienced with him. If you plan to take a guide choose someone who is highly recommended by your friends, you can even skip taking a guide and just hire the local aetas and town folks. Do a little research and make sure you have a rough idea of the costs so you will be fair in tips and payments.

As for the place, it was simply astounding and awesome. Only in Nagsasa will you find both sea water and fresh water. In one area, all you need is turn around to see both sea and river. Take a 20-30 minutes trek and you'll end up in an area with waterfalls.

How to get there:

1. Take a bus in Victory Liner in Caloocan with San Antonio as Destination P256 (more or less)
2. Take a tricycle ride in San Antonio to Pundaquit P20/head (more or less)

3. Take a 1 hour boat ride from Pundaquit to Nagsasa P2500/5 pax, P2000/3 pax (more or less)

**In going back to Manila, make sure to prebook or make arrangements with the boat and tricycle drvers. Inform them the day and time you wish to be picked up. It is necessary that you make the arrangements in advance since the island is secluded and boats are not readily available.

A few more tips and reminders:

1. Visit the local market in San Antonio for fresh fish, meat, fruits and vegetables. Buy all you plan to eat and cook for the duration of your stay.

2. Bring money to tip the locals. They are very nice and friendly. They will not charge you much but a tip of gratiuty will be most appreciated - it improves improves their source of income and will help them maintain their land.

3. Bring camping gears like a tent, sleeping bag, flashlight/portable light, drinking water, medicines/first aid and a portable cooking stove (that is if you dont plan to make fire or grill your food). If you have motion sickness, drink Bonamine or other remedies you take for dizziness. The boat ride is quite long so best that you come prepared.

4. Bring your camera. Once you are there you can't help but take photos of the place, the sunset, the stars etc.

5. Be prepared to be incommunicado. There is no electricity, cell sites/signal or internet access. (Yes, this is indeed a great place to disappear to :P but seriously this is the place to "get away from it all")

So if you are an adventure seeker a beach person or a fan of survivor this just may be the chance for you to live and feel your "survivor dream" :) So grab your back pack, your all terrain shoes (for land and water), your camera and your rugged and adventurous attitude. There is 1 toilet and 1 shower area so be prepared for moments when water supply is scarce. You might even need to skip that much needed bath or shower.

And finally, a message of concern. If you plan to take this trip anytime soon, please be eco-friendly and help maintain the beauty of this place. It's sad how man can visit and enjoy a place and yet destroy it simultaneously with no regard or respect. So as you visit please, please leave only your footprints and take only your memories. Respect the beauty of the land and the indigenious land owners of the place - our fellowmen the Aetas.

Thank you series: A Typical Filipino Sunday

My hubby and I spent Easter Sunday in Macau, and with us was his colleague, Dada. We attended morning mass in Igreja de Santo Agostinho (San Agustin).

The mass was celebrated in Tagalog/Filipino, and for an hour, we felt we were in Manila. I miss attending mass and at church I sang my heart out. It was a special day for me - my Filipino and Christian spirit. (If you want to know the mass schedules in Macau, you can read it on my past posting.)

Later that day, we also did some shopping and picture taking. It was another great opportunity for me to practice on photography. (For photos, please visit my photo blog).

We capped the night with a foot massage to relieve our tired muscles. This is specially good for me and my hubby as we have been running, walking and exercising for days. (Our "serious" effort to lose our winter weight.)

PS. I also got an Easter tag from Amy. It's a cute one; feel free to grab it! :) Happy Easter everyone!

sunnysideup perspectives: Holiday walks with Hubby

I'm feeling so much better. No attacks and stomach pain for past few days. Even better my hubby had a long holiday weekend so we were able to spend more (quality) time together.

One of the things I cherish most are my walks and talks with my hubby. I just relish and enjoy such moments. I think it's a girl thing. Most women love the attention, the time and the listening ear. Maybe not all women will agree, but I really think that "attentive listening" is one of the best ways for a man to show his love and affection towards their spouse.

It's the "small" things that really matter. A compliment and a listening ear goes a looong way. :)

Anyway, we had a great time. We visited another pagoda here in Zhongshan. We walked and talked for hours, had a plateful of Sushi for dinner, and took lots of photos. By the way, lately my hubby has been influenced by my interest in photography. It's another activity - aside from eating - that we both love. We are now practicing together. Well he is using our point-and-shoot digital camera, while practice on our new DSLR. :)

Here are some of our pics, but I will upload more of them on my photo blog.

Sunnysideup Perspectives: Traveling and Toilets

We call them Toilet, Bathroom, Restroom, Washroom, Comfort Room, Lavatory, Ladies room, and Little Boys room; No matter what name, it is one of the most important service and part of any house or establishment. When we are out or traveling we would like to have convenient access to one. We want one that's clean, odor-free and complete with tissue and liquid soap.

TIP: If you are traveling to mainland China soon, the words W.C, washroom, and 'see-saw' will be very useful to know. It is advised to also say this with hand gestures - put your hands together and act as if you are washing them.

One more thing I noticed in China, particularly the provinces of Zhongshan and Zhu Hai, most of the public restrooms are not western style. By the way, I also noticed this in a few restrooms of the Taiwan airport.

Toilet Bowl in one of the Public Toilets of Zhongshan

TIP: To have access to western style restrooms, I suggest you head off to the nearest hotels, or some of the posh restaurants of the area.

Toilet Bowl, with automatic bowl cover dispenser, in one of the Resto's of Zhongshan



Even has a TV (only thing is, movies are all in Chinese)

However, my Macau and Hong Kong toilet experiences were all convenient. Most, if not all, of the establishments had clean and accessible restrooms. I was also impressed with the number of public portalets prepared by Macau in different areas on New Year's eve - so going to the toilet was never a daunting task for me.

Lavatory Macau Airport

Note: My best restroom experience so far, are the public restrooms in Paris, France. I had to pay but it was ok - they were automated. The doors will automatically open and close; I think each person were given 3-5 mins to complete their 'duty'. Seriously though, I was told that limits were established to prevent illegal activities inside the toilet.

Thank you series: Will be on vacation in Manila

Although I dread the traffic and pollution in Manila, I am soooo excited to go back and visit my home town. I can't wait to:

• see my family
• meet my friends
• eat in Jollibee, Gerry's grill and The Old Spaghetti House
  
• play with my dogs and new puppies
• feel warmth. I need weather that averages 20 - 30 degrees.
  
• watch cable and local TV shows that use the two languages I can understand - Filipino and English
• take a road trip to Tagaytay, Quezon or Batangas

Before I left I took this photo that shows our gate, the street village and my two dogs (posed like gargolyes hahaha)

We are flying tomorrow so please expect a temporary lull in my blog. Since I will be on vacation, wahoo! :)

sunnysideup finds: Send a postcard or video from Macau

If you are traveling to Macau, here's something that you might want to try out.

This touch screen interactive machine, called citi guide, is found in several spots in the Senado Square area (Macau Island). It has maps, travel recommendations and a email capability.

It can save you a little money. No need to buy postcards to mail - plus you can send a video. The only thing is that it has no sound. Unfortunately we didn't know so the next time we'll probably just do lots of funny faces and actions. Watch our 'silent' video below :)

Thank you series: I take a trip around the world in Macau

If you are a regular guest of this blog, you will notice that I have written about Macau in this blog a number of times. To date I have visited the place at least 5 times - that is since October 2008. It's such a small place that I've grown to appreciate more and more.

What I love about this place is that it reminds me of Manila - particularly Binondo or Manila's Chinatown - yet it also allows me to visit the world. Take Fisherman's Wharf for instance, a visit here will allow you to see Spain, Portugal, New Zealand and the Middle East in one day. While a day in Venetian takes you to beautiful Venice.

For more photos, visit my photo blog of Venetian and my photo blog of Fisherman's Wharf.

If your planning to travel soon, a vacation in Macau is something to consider. There are lots of hotels to choose from. From the pricey and extraordinary - perfect for honeymooners - like Venetian and Rocks hotel, to the practical Metropole hotel - perfect for adventurous backpackers.

Note: Breakfast buffet in Metropole is mostly Chinese style. They offer fried noodles, mantao, steam cabbage but you will also find hotdogs and ham.

Thank you series: A day at the park

The day after Christmas, December 26, my hubby and I decided to visit another park here in Zhongshan. We visited Zimaling park, an 88-plus hectare park located at Zhongshan, China. It was a fun day and we were pleasantly surprised to find rides and fair activities – target shooting, cable ride, boat ride, mini roller coasters and cart ride – at the park. It was familiar and reminded us of provincial fairs in the Philippines.

It was a good day of exercise. For more photos of the park please visit my photo blog.

Thank you series: Christmas day trip

December 25. My hubby came home from half a days work. Yahoo, he is now officially on vacation! :) I had so much fun! We discovered a great new restaurant that helped relieve our slight homesickness. The place was cool - free movies, awesome restrooms, great ambiance and authentic Chinese tea. The name was a bit weird, but who cares?

'The place - Jack and the Magic Pea'


'Blueberry cheesecake, Chocolate mousse and Mint tea'

'Electronic waste bin, Toilet cover plus . . . free movie!'

We also walked around to discover a few more places we've never seen before. It's our 4th month in Zhongshan and we are now seeing more of the place.

Paskuhan sa GK: The Pinoy Spirit

Amidst hard times and uncertainty, when recession and job loss is happening everywhere, Filipinos always remain jubilant, hopeful and resilient. They persevere and survive.

When I attended the Gawad Kalinga Paskuhan event in Macau, Dec 5 and 6, I was awed by the camaraderie and hardwork that my fellowmen exuded. And as I travel and see more of my fellowmen spread across the globe, an intense feeling of admiration and pride grows in me.

Tired from work or even out of work themselves, they took the time to spread the word for our poverty stricken fellowmen in the Philippines. I witnessed firsthand how they shared their time and talents to support a great cause - Gawad Kalinga.

Filipinos based in Macau, work late at night to build a sample of a Gawad Kalinga (GK) home.


With The CFC Community of Macau. These are the "Tito's or Uncle's" who lead this community. Working hard to build another GK village in the Philippines.


The Single for Christ members who shared their time and talents for the cause.


The CFC community celebrating Christmas with a cause - Paskuhan (Christmas) the Gawad Kalinga way.

Now you may be asking, what is Gawad Kalinga? It is a movement/program that uplifts the lives of the poor in the Philippines. More than just providing them with houses, this program rebuilds their lives and their spirit. This is a program that allows those who are more enabled to help and share their blessings. Watch this video to see how this program changed and touched lives.

Gawad Kalinga, is being supported by corporations, private citizens, as well as non-Filipinos who believe in the vision. One of them is GK Champion Dylan Wilk, one of the richest men in UK under the age of 30. Listen to a podcast where he explains his passion to fight poverty.

Also here is another video compilation of GK champions/GK heroes.

Thank you series: Old Friends from Manila!

Welcome to China Jaime and Cindy!


(From left to right) Jaime, Cindy and me! :)


Jaime and his beautiful camera :)


A view of Zhongshan from Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park


Here's a prenuptial shoot in the park.


Cindy and I. Yep we do look like locals unfortunately we don't speak and understand the language. :)


Cute couple, Jaime and Cindy, with the "Hot pot"

November 30 - December 2. It's our first time, my hubby and I, to have guests here in China. It's been 3 months since we got here and I'm glad to have my friends come over. Of course I warned them in advance, yep they were my guinea pigs! I still have yet to get use to the place and language but we managed. Oh well, lucky are my next guests since by then I would be a better tourist guide hehe :)

I just hope they enjoyed their short stay and got a lot of insights during this "exploration" trip. Worthwhile enough to let them forget the camera we lost. :(

Thanks for the gifts and for being such great guests. See you in Manila soon!


Note... Here are some of my insights from this trip:

• Best to remind guests to bring RMB or HK dollars as pocket money especially if they plan to shop. US dollars are hard to exchange when containing stamp marks from banks.
  
• Dinner in the 'Zhongshan Revolving Restaurant' is always best done on the first day/evening.
  
• Socks and Winter clothes are advised (at least until March)
  
• Always double check restos and cabs before leaving, just to make sure we did not leave anything.
  
• Foot and Body Massage in country club is well appreciated. Also great way to end the day.