2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Catholic Churches

Too early for the Visita Iglesia - our Albay trip is one of our travels where we visited a number of churches.  

Albay Cathedral

Address: Albay District 4500 Legazpi City, Philippines

English Mass: 11am on Sundays

Just in heart of the town proper is the Albay Cathedral.  The Cathedral of St. Gregory the Great, also called the Albay Cathedral, is the Episcopal Seat of the Diocese of Legazpi. The cathedral started as a wooden chapel built by early Spanish missionaries who moved into the town in the 1580s. It was damaged by American bombers and reconstruction went beyond 1951. The church was elevated to become a cathedral when the Episcopal See of the Diocese of Legaspi was established. [Reference]

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Food Strip

Albay is one of famous destinations in Philippines not only for its natural beauty but also for food satisfaction.  Below are the restaurants we tried during our stay.

La Mia Tazza Coffee

We had our first break at this café since it is located at Embarcadero. They have tables at the veranda so you can have your sip of coffee while watching the clouds as it cover the volcano tip.  We tried Pili Cappuccino (small, 98php) and Raspberry Mocha (small, 98php).

Small Talk Cafe
Located just near the Albay Cathedral, you can easily spot this restaurant.

It is a homey designed restaurant with antique pieces, piano, old photos of famous artists who dined in, old wooden tables and chairs.  The café is famous for its unique flavors of pasta and pizza.

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Ellis Ecotel

After several cancelled flights of Naga and Legazpi due to experienced cold front and rain showers in the early weeks of January, glad that we were able to depart from Manila in a sunny Sunday morning this week.

2013 Jan: Brewing in Manila

I’m not a coffee lover or should I say coffee is not healthy for my heart.  But with a lot of shops brewing here in the city, should I still not give it a shot?  Coming from three-peat short trips in South Korea in just 10 months, I started to yearn for coffee.  Initially because cafes there are everywhere. 

In 2006, I had a drink with my colleagues in Max Brenner, Greenbelt.  That was the most expensive coffee I ever had, 500php for a cup of white chocolate.  This week (2013) I noticed that it also started brewing in Mall of Asia, but this time with more affordable price.  This is also brewing in other countries such as USA, Australia, Singapore and Israel. http://www.maxbrenner.com/branches.html

Philosophy: Chocolate, more than any other food is integrated in to many aspects of our lives. It is a symbol of contradicting emotions and sensations. On one hand, it is the most romantic gift; on the other hand it is a commodity which is traded on the stock exchange. It is sold like a prestigious piece of jewelry carefully selected from a glass case but also as an addictive snack available at every corner store. It is tasted like a fine wine and licked off of fingers dipped straight in to the bowl. It is sexy, nostalgic, and forever an object of fantasy for children and grownup children. These diverse chocolate associations are the inspiration behind Max Brenner's new chocolate culture. (http://www.maxbrenner.com/about.html)

Across Max Brenner’s location in MOA, is espressamente illy (which is also present in NAIA Terminal 3).  I got familiar with this shop when I saw it from Hong Kong International Airport and Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan. 

Origin: Francesco Illy founded illycaffè in 1933.  His 1935 invention of the illetta, considered the blueprint for modern espresso machines, revolutionized coffee preparation.  His innovative method of packaging, based on pressurization, enabled illy’s initial exports to Sweden and Holland during the 1940s.  Francesco Illy’s method remains the standard for preserving and enhancing coffee’s freshness during transport and storage.  (http://www.illy.com/wps/wcm/connect/en/company/illycaffe-history)

Last year (2012), after attending an expo in SMX I got surprised when I saw a tarpaulin saying future site of “Caffe Bene”.

Their Story: It all began in April 2008 at Eastern Seoul where Caffe Bene's first-ever store was opened. Founded by Mr. Kim Sun-Kwon, who has been notable for his other successful franchise endeavors. Since then, Caffé Bene has grown to more than 800 stores making it the Largest and Fastest Growing coffee shop chain in Korea.  In fact since it started, almost every other day a Caffé Bene shop is opened – continually even today.  Conquering the Philippines, Filipinos can now rave about the difference of Caffe Bene and get acquainted with so much reasons why the Bene brand has grown this far.

Their Brand: Bene means "good or well". European feels accentuated by Korean touches. Friendly, warm and cozy ambiance. Various menus and great coffee! (http://www.caffebene.com.ph)

2013: What's in store for Philippines this year?

Travel+Leisure adds Philippines as one of 2013's hottest destination. 

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/hottest-travel-destinations/7

Conde Nast Traveller includes Philippines as a destination to watch for this year 2013.  Specifically this includes: Bicol, Siargao, Palawan, Amanpulo and Manila.
http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/itineraries/hot-destinations-to-watch-2013/philippines

White Beach in Boracay is on top 24 slot in the World and top 1 in Asia on the Top 25 Beaches: http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g2

2012: My Travels by the Numbers

Inspired by an article from StarStudio mag,

Travelling is not just about seeing the sights; it’s about a whole lot of numbers, too!

Ended the year with a challenging work life, there is much to be thankful for this 2012.  Meeting new friends, life tests, success or sometimes failure, the most important thing is to learn from it.

Highlights of my travel journey this year are: I experienced Busan’s spring season and Osaka and Kyoto’s autumn leaves and being able to promote this blog in Smile magazine for 7 months.  I spent one solo trip to Langkawi and had two sister-bonding trips. 

Wishing all of us to be successful in this year’s soul searching on ever step that we take everyday of our lives.

Read my 2011 version.

Japan: 5 days Autumn Itinerary in Osaka and Kyoto

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka and Kyoto?

2012 Dec: Japan: Trains

Are you ready to get lost?  Are you up to the challenge to see these signs?

Will you be able to locate where you are or going to if you are given less English maps?

I don’t want to confuse myself on getting a ticket each time I use the train, and I need to have a ticket that can be used on all types of trains in Osaka and Kyoto.  Do you have the same issues on mind, ICOCA is the answer!

2012 Dec: Japan: Bicycle

Bicycles are widely used in Japan for everyday life by people of all age groups and social standings.[Reference]

All I wanna do is... I want to ride my bicycle,

I want to ride my bike, I want to ride my bicycle,

Bicycle races are coming your way,

So forget all your duties oh yeah! --queen

2012 Dec: Osaka Castle

Destination: Osaka Castle
Travel Date: December 2, 2012
Location: １-１ Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 540-0002, Japan
Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm (last 4:30pm)

Entrance: Osaka Castle (600yen) + Osaka Museum History (600yen) = 900yen

Map: http://www.osakacastle.net/english/park/map_new.pdf

How to get there:

From Osaka City Subway Chuo Line, drop-off at: TANIMACHIYONCHOME (C18), and take EXIT 09.

  

Crossing several streets until we had a view of Osaka Castle.

I was welcomed by these waste bags of dried leaves, Oh no!  As if I wanted to throw them back on the castle grounds.  

2012 Dec: Osaka: Umeda Sky Building

Destination: Umeda Sky Building (known as: Umeda Sukai Biru, 梅田スカイビル)

Address: 1-1-88, Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka

One of the city's most recognizable landmarks. It consists of two 40-story towers that connect at their two uppermost stories, with bridges and an escalator crossing the wide atrium-like space in the center. [Read]  Considered to be the 13th tallest building in Osaka. [Read]

Other information:
-The building was mainly owned by Toshiba Corporation
-Tenants: Mazda,  Consulate-General of Germany in Osaka [Read]
-On media: The Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building was visited in Leg 10 of Amazing Race 12; Location shoot of Rain's (Korean Star) Runaway series

How to get there:

Take Exit No. 4 of Umeda Station (Midosuji line)

Check the map below for the better visual, it will take almost 15 minutes walking until you reach the building.

2012 Dec: Osaka: Sacra Famiglia

Destination: Sacra Famiglia (Catholic Church)

Address: Toyosaki 3-12-8, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka 〒531-0072

How to get there:

1. From SHINSAIBASHI, take Line: Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line and

2. Drop-off: NAKATSU(SUBWAY).  It would take 9 mins travel time with distance of 4.2 km (230yen, 2012)

3. Take Exit No.4 of Nakatsu station.  Starbucks will be on your left side, proceed and continue walking.

4. Take a left turn (either on the first or second street) you’ll see different Family Mart convenient stores on your left side.

5.  Recognize the tall building of Pias Tower.  Across it is the church.

Here is the map for better visuals:

The main lobby and ground floor is the office area. Also, you can visit their mass schedule from their website: http://www.osaka-umeda-church.jp/en/category/mass-hours/

2012 Dec: Osaka: Umeda

Umeda

Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2012 Autumn Osaka, Kyoto Trip:

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	Kyoto Guided Tour (JAPANiCAN.com) Nijo Castle Kinkakuji Temple Imperial Palace Heian Jingu Shrine Kiyomizu Temple	Il Bar, Kyoto Station	Hearton Hotel in Shinsaibashi
Day 2	[Osaka] Universal Studios Namba Dotonbori	Pasta Frolla, City Walk Dinner in 3rd Planet	Hearton Hotel
Day 3	[Kyoto] Saga-Arashiyama: Sagano Scenic Railway Fushimi Inari Taisha Tofuku-ji Temple Gion-Shijo Kennin-ji Temple	Snacks (sushi) in Sagano Station Restaurant in Gion Dinner in 3rd Planet	Hearton Hotel
Day 4	Osaka Castle Umeda Sky Building	Lunch in Daimaru European Market in Umeda Sky Street Food near Osaka Castle Dinner in 3rd Planet	Hearton Hotel
Day 5	[Osaka] Sacra Famiglia (Catholic Church) in Umeda		Hearton Hotel

2012 Nov: Kyoto: Kennin-ji Temple Grounds

Destination: Kennin-ji Temple Grounds
Travel Date: November 30, 2012
Location: Komatsu town down through Article 45, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Yamatooji
Admission Fee: 500 yen
Website: http://www.kenninji.jp/english/

Kenninji is a temple of the Zen sect, one of the main branches of Japanese Buddhism. Buddhism, founded approximately 2,500 years ago in India by Shakyamuni Buddha, teaches that the inherent suffering of life can be transcended through equanimity, wisdom, and compassion. The Zen sect, dating back to sixth-century China, seeks the realization of this ideal through a strict training system stressing work and meditation. At present, there are three branches of Zen in Japan - the Rinzai Soutou and Oubaku schools. Kenninji belongs to the Rinzai tradition. The temple was founded in 1202 by the priest Yousai (1141-1215). [Read more]

2012 Nov: Japan: Kyoto: Gion

Gion (祇園) is Kyoto's most famous geisha (performing artist) district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain. [Read more]