On our first day, we left Hohhot City early for Xilamuren Grasslands, to experience a glimpse of traditional Mongolian way of living.
Grasslands are generally open and continuous, fairly flat places that receive more rain than deserts but less precipitation than forests. In grassland regions, the climate is ideal for the growth of grasses only. The low precipitation rates are enough to nourish grasses but not enough for a forest of trees. Despite being dry, the temperature at day time is below 20 degrees Celsius.
In the Grasslands, we got to stay at a Mongolian Yurt (Meng Gu Bao Tent). The temperature at night drops to as low as 4 degrees Celsius. Good thing the tents have mechanical heaters (not so traditional after all). We spent the night on socials and a few bottles of traditional Mongolian Liquor made from fermented milk. The bottle looks very nice, too. At daytime we also got to enjoy various activities as horseback riding and archery lessons.
Here’s me wearing a traditional costume under the clearest blue sky of Mongolia.
Throughout my stay, I was hooked on local yogurt, which Mongolia has always been famous for. Yogurt (Isgelen Tarag) is a staple in the Mongolian diet. The cultural significance of yogurt dates back to the time of Genghis Khan, and it remains an important part of nomadic life and culinary tradition.
On our second day, we transferred to Kubuqi Desert for a nomadic desert experience. The camel ride excursion was definitely the highlight of the day.
We spent the rest of the day at Yinken Whistling Dune Bay – an Amusement park in the middle of the desert. We went for off-road surfing, go-karts, zip lines and roller coaster ride.
We also had a quick visit Ordos City, famous for Lamb meat and beef hotpot.
The remaining days, we spent at Hohhot City, which is the capital of Inner Mongolia. The city is strongly Chinese-influenced, with a touch or Arabic, as the territory also share some history with the ancient folks of Central Asia.
Here’s me feeling cute at Shini Zhao Temple in Hohhot.
Hohhot City’s vibe is far from the status of Beijing or Shanghai in terms of Commercialism. Somewhat a provincial vibe IMO; but all the necessary modern conveniences are there. Food was hefty and great, and everything’s fairly affordable.
This Peking Duck is by far the best duck-meat viand I have ever tasted. I could actually compare it to lechon baboy, with a thin layer of fat under the crispy-roasted skin.
We also had a quick visit to the Inner Mongolian Museum, which houses the largest number of collected dinasaur fossils in Asia. Inner Mongolian desert is also a treasure trove of prehistoric remains, as these vast dry lands are ancient. Oil and natural gases are also being mined from the grounds of this territory.
Where we stayed – Hamptons by Hilton Hotel in Hohhot City, with superb breakfast buffet.
With the tour Buddies. This tour was arranged for us by Uno Turismo agency based in Quezon City.
A highlight from my recent Inner Mongolia trip is Kubuqi Desert. This was my first time to experience a desert excursion, while riding a camel and seeing the vast expanse of a seemingly endless dry desert land of Mongolia.
As the one of the largest desert in East Asia, the Kubuqi Desert was once known to Mongolians and Ancient Chinese as the “Sea of Death”. More than 60% of dunes are mobile. And during windy weather, tons of sand can be blown to the nearby Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region overnight.
Xilamuren Grassland is a picturesque spot in Inner Mongolia, with rolling green hills, vast open spaces, and the winding Xilamuren River, which provides a serene backdrop for traditional Mongolian nomadic culture.
Visitors can experience horseback riding, archery, visit herds of cattle and sheep, stay in traditional Mongolian tent (Yurts/Meng Gu Bao), and see cultural performances.
Xilamuren also houses the historically significant Puhui Buddhist Monastery.
The phrase “land of the eternal blue sky” refers to Mongolia, with over 250 sunny days a year. The name is a direct translation of its Mongolian name, Mönkh khökh tengeriin oron, reflecting its clear, expansive skies and connection to nature.
This year marks the 12th anniversary of my travel blog, iamjosemanuel.com. To commemorate this special milestone, I am listing down the best and most memorable cities that I’ve visited so far. I already lost track of the number of cities I’ve been to; probably more than a hundred, including domestic.
I’m limiting this list to five favorite cities outside the Philippines. No doubt, old-world Architecture plays a major influence for me to form this list; my love affair and fascination with the ancient times.
1. The Uniquely-Beautiful Venice, Italy
Venice is heaven for ‘Old-world’ enthusiasts. Venice’s well-preserved architectural style is uniquely defined by a hybrid of Gothic Italian and Islamic elements, since this city has also been under the rule of Muslim/Turks back in the days. The vibe of Venice, hindi exactly the same as what you see in Milan, Rome and Florence. Kakaiba. Unpolished.
I’ve stayed in Venice for 3 days. I did not take any arranged tour, I just glided my way through its maze-like streets. When I say, maze-like, ganito yun.
There’s something unique about a city floating in water, and the gondolas swaying their way through the canals and lagoons. I clearly remember getting lost during a late afternoon stroll, nakarating ako sa isang empty neighborhood of old buildings. Walang tao dun, tas’ biglang umulan. Found shelter at a random roofed hallway, and stayed for around an hour. Naka-idlip ako nun. Scary din to a point, but sobrang memorable. After the rain, it took me a while to find my way back. Inabutan ako ng dilim. See more of Venice in this 2015 blogpost link.
2. Florence, Italy
Ok, bias kase more than one entry from Italy, but the old-world charm of Florence is impossible to not talk about. Florence to me boasts the most well-preserved “Italian Renaissance” era there is. Those treasured artworks, sculptures and the perfectly-maintained Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo de Firenze) are worthy of all the admiration its been getting. Compared to Venice, Florence is more on the polished, expensive vibe, where everything is manicured and well-maintained; and I love them both.
Sali ko na ang Leaning tower of Pisa sa entry na ito, since it was just an hour away from Florence. Florence and Pisa are easy to navigate, relaxed and less crowded compared to Rome and Milan. See more on this link.
3. Cusco, Peru
Cusco is more than just the gateway to Machu Picchu. The romantic,old-world charm of this well-preserved Latin City is a beauty on it’s own. Kaso sobrang layo nya sa Pinas. But if I’d be given a chance to go back to a destination in Latin America, definitely, I am choosing Cusco in a heartbeat. Sobrang ganda, especially Plaza de Armas and the overlooking view of San Blas.
Japan has a lot of amazing cities, but Kyoto is definitely on top of the list. Kyoto is known for its profound serenity and timeless charm. A bit touristy, but indeed, there’s so much to see (if you prefer exploring Old-world Japan). I think Kyoto is one of the most photogenic, if not the most photogenic place I’ve visited so far. Sakto din siguro I visited during autumn when everything was golden.
Kyoto is also a good base city to explore Central Japan. Nara and Himeji are easy day trips from Kyoto.
5. Bagan, Myanmar
Last on my top five is Bagan.
Bagan in Myanmar is an ancient city, a historic capital, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its thousands of temples and pagodas. If you are into mysterious/elusive, old-world vibe, then truly, Bagan offers exactly that experience.
Sobrang photogenic, yet somewhat out of radar, because it is difficult to get to, even if nasa Southeast Asia lang din sya. Truly, my trip to Bagan is one for the books. And if given a chance, I’d definitely return in a beat; and I’d love to take you guys with me.
The smallest cafe in Fukuoka, located in the Daimyo district. It’s described as being about the size of a walk-in closet and offers takeaway beverages and desserts with outdoor seating.
OK, step by step guide on how to apply for Tourist VISA to the USA. I’m making this post as simple as possible, with screenshots, so you know what to expect. DIY po itong application ko. I did not apply through an agency.
Disclaimer lang muna. First, this process is as of July 2025. There may be updates in the future, along with the transitioning of the US Administration. Second, this guide solely gives light on US Tourist Visa Application for Filipinos living in the Philippines; Non-immigrant po at walang plano mag TNT. To be specific, B1,B2 ang term nila for regular tourist visa. Lastly, this guide does not guarantee your approval. Depende po sa ganda. Charot! Pero di nga, if you find visa application overwhelming, mag agency po tayo for more chances of winning. ems! If mag agency po, please check on reviews first kase dami scammers today.
My application in a gist:
Magpapicture ng 2×2
Accomplish the DS 160 Application form online (For tourist B1,B2)
Pay the Visa fee
Schedule Appointment for Photo & Biometrics at VAC, then for Interview at the embassy
Personally attend the scheduled Photo/Biometric and interview
First step: Magpapicturesa studio. inuna ko ito kase the softcopy/jpeg file is needed during the second step. You will also submit 2 copies of this during the interview at the embassy.
Photo requirement: 2 x 2 inches, square, without borders. The applicant’s head (measured from top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) must measure 25 mm to 35 mm (1 inch to 1 3/8 inch); the applicant’s eye level must be 28 mm to 35 mm (1 1/8 inch to 1 3/8 inch) from the bottom of the photo. NO EDITING OF ANY SORT. NO EARRINGS FOR MEN. You will need both the printed copy 2×2 and the raw file to upload. A US visa photo must be a JPEG (.jpg) file, 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, with a square aspect ratio and a file size no larger than 240 KB.
Second Step: Accomplish the DS 160 Application form online. Log in at ustraveldocs.com , choose Philippines as base and non-immigrant Tourist B1/B2 as visa type. You will be asked to create an account before proceeding. Sign up with your valid email, contacts and assign verification questions. For Reference, ganito to ang look ng site.
After signing up, you will automatically be redirected to the DS 160 page, as shown below. (https:// ceac.state.gov/genniv/). After sign up and all, select “Start an application” and you will be given a unique Application ID. Take note of this so you can retrieve your application if mag close. Note that you don’t necessarily have to accomplish this form in one seating. Pwede naman po save2x.
Ok, this is the part where you will give personal information, travel plans, work, education etc. See the screenshot below, ito po ang starting page. Mahaba po ito pero basic questions lang naman, just like any other visa application. Answer truthfully. Re the travel plans, not necessary naman po may return ticket na or what. Just give your intended dates and what you want to do.
You have to declare everything that’s being asked. Your income, profession, your previous jobs, including the name of you ex-boss or HR, your travel history the last 5 years (if any), and yes po, DECLARE all SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS set on public mode. I submitted my Facebook, IG, Tiktok and this website that you are currently at.
DS 160 will also ask you for a contact person in the US. Friend, relative or what. Needed po contact and address niya. I was told na may cases, tinatawagan po ang declared contact for verification. Though hindi po tinawagan akin. You also have to declare the organizations you belong to.
Here are some other questions that you have to address. Answer truthfully lang po.
After completion, upload the 2×2 photo file, then review muna. Edit if you have to. Make sure kaya mo mapanindigan all the declared info, as these MAY be asked again during the personal interview.
After submission, you will be given a CONFIRMATION LETTER. ganito yun.
Overwhelming ba mag DIY Application? oh mag agency ka na. If ok pa, the read on.
Third Step: Payment of Visa fee before you set the interview appointment. This is done at another website —> usvisascheduling.com. See screenshot below. Sign in with your valid email and contact, log in, then start new application for interview. You will be asked to encode the application number that was given to you with the submitted DS 160 form kanina; nasa upper right side ng confirmation letter.
Just go through the steps until you reach the payment interface. Yes po, payment muna before you get an access to available dates for interview.
The cost of Regular Tourist Visa B1/B2 is 185 USD or 11,100 Pesos as of July 2025. After this, you will be prompted with a Slip/Notice of payment with instructions on how and where to pay. Download and print this slip and submit nyo po sa teller, as they will need to encode also your details at time of payment. Sa RCBC po ako nag-pay, over the counter cash deposit. I also brought with me sa bank my passport at yung DS 160 confirmation letter, just in case. The slip looks like this.
After payment, sabi you have to wait 24 hours for validation. As in my case, I paid at the RCBC Branch nearest sakin at 9 am, and I had my payment reflected na sa website by 10 am. You can check this sa USVisadocs.com account ninyo.
Fourth Step: Select appointment date for Photo and Biometric (fingerprint scanning), and a separate date for interview with the embassy.
Yes po, two appointments: one for Photo/biometrics enrollment and the other for the interview at the embassy.
Previously, the collection of biometrics is done on the same date as with the interview at the embassy. But with the new visa application system, you are required to schedule a separate appointment to the newly launched Visa Application Center (VAC) at Parqal Mall in Parañaque (Manila) for your biometrics enrollment. I read may Visa Application Centers na din daw sa Cebu at Davao that accepts this step. Google nyo na lang. As with my case, Manila po ako nag-process.
To schedule, log in again on your USTravelDocs.com account. Once the payment has already been reflected in your account, you may now proceed with the scheduling. You will first select a date for the biometric, then afterwards, the site will lead you to the available dates for interview.
IMPORTANT: The date of biometric and the interview could be one week apart to a month. That is why it is crucial to apply for visa early, if meron po tayong fixed date or event kailangan mapuntahan sa US. I say 6 to 10 months prior to your desired date of flight.
Overwhelming na ba ng todo? again, pwede po mag hire ng agency to assist you.
After selecting the dates and respective time slots, you will be given slips with your details. Download and print this along with other documents necessary to submit.
Fifth Step: Attend to the scheduled appointments. Yes po, ako na taga Gensan, lipad po tayo to Manila on the dates, and mindful tayo sa timeslot assigned.
Photo and Biometrics Address: US Visa Application Center (VAC). Third Floor, Parqal Mall Building 8, Parañaque, Metro Manila. Phone: (02) 7792 8988. Pretty straight-forward transaction here.
Interview: Embassy of the United States of America. 1201 Roxas Blvd, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila.
My interview was scheduled at 8 am, but I was already outside the embassy as early as 5:30 am. Mainit po around 6:30 na. FYI. Pipila po tayo sa labas tlga under the harsh environment. Madaming checking at stages before makapasok sa building mismo.
Essential Documents na dinala ko, as specified in the confirmation letter:
Current-valid passport
previous passports with travel history.
DS-160 Confirmation Letter: (DS-160). Color-printed. US Letter-sized paper
Appointment Confirmation Slips. Color-printed. US Letter-sized paper
Photographs: Dalawang 2×2.
Visa Fee Payment Receipt: Deposit Slip. Photocopy and original.
Supporting Documents na Dinala ko din: PSA Birth Certificate, Valid PRC IDs, Latest ITR ko, at latest bank statement with average daily balance; pero itong bank statement, hindi na po ito hinanap ng interviewer.
If you are employed, needed po to bring your company id and certificate of employment. As per my case, practicing professional po ako. So i brought my PRC ID and the ITR.
I highly suggest you place all your documents in a clear plastic envelope.
Nagdala din po ako black ballpen. I noticed madami nagbebenta ballpen sa labas for 50 pesos.
Hindi po ako nagdala ng Cellphone. Bawal po. Iniwan ko po sa hotel. Bawal din water or food.
The procedure inside the embassy: may initial validation with a filipino employee ng embassy. Parang front desk. Then after this, pasok po sa isang bigger room with windows for the interview proper.
– If your application is approved, they will take your passport. – If your application is rejected or denied, they will tell you right away.
The Interview proper took only five (5) minutes sa case ko, o less pa. It’s very quick because most probably, applications have been evaluated even before the interview. Likely, they already have a tentative decision prior to your appointment, and the interview is just for validation/consistency of declared details as per your DS 160 form. As per my experience, I was only asked what my job is and the purpose of my travel to the US, which I answered “just for vacation/holiday”, and done!
So yun po ang process ng application ko. I clearly remember na generous yata sila sa pag-grant during our date. Lahat kami sa line, magkasunod na approved.
Formula to get an approval? Prove your ties with the PH. As per my case, I feel that my job as a Licensed Architect here for several years already, gave them an impression that I have no plans of finding work in the US, and that my job is stable. My travel history probably gave a good impression as well. Financial situation? I don’t think so, as the officer never asked me to show any document pertaining to that. Baka lucky day ko lang din gid.
In doubt with your chances? I say again, go get an agency to assist you.
The Classic Yufuin No Mori sightseeing train pass through the farmlands and mountains at a slower pace.
The main street in Yufuin is called Yunotsubo Kaido. It’s a charming, pedestrian-friendly road known for its shops, restaurants, and scenic views of Mount Yufu.
Tenso Shrine is probably the most visited shrine in Yufuin. It is located on the banks of Lake Kinrinko, a very popular scenic spot in Yufuin.
The village is inspired by the Cotswolds region of England, famous for its ancient stone houses, with a distinctive honey-yellow colour.
Of all cities I’ve visited in Japan, Nagasaki is probably the most straight forward with what it has. In fact, the city’s main mode of transportation (Street car) is designed in a relatively simple North-South Line, making it manageable and easy to navigate for tourists.
Nagasaki is located northwest of Fukuoka, around 1.5 hours by train, usually with a stop/change train at Saga City. It’s set on a large natural harbor, with buildings on the terraces of surrounding hills. It is synonymous with hard times during World War II, after suffering an nuclear attack in August 1945, after Hiroshima. The event is memorialized at the city’s Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park.
This overlooking view above shows the part of Nagasaki that was previously bombed, Nagasaki Peace Park and Hypocenter Park. These locations offer a vantage point to reflect on the atomic bombing and its aftermath.
In Nagasaki, Ground Zero, the point directly below where the atomic bomb detonated, is marked by a black stone monolith in Peace Park. The park also features a hypocenter monument and remnants from nearby locations like the Shotokuji Temple. The area, now a place for reflection, includes cherry blossom trees and other greenery, symbolizing Nagasaki’s resilience and the hope for peace.
A day trip from Fukuoka would be enough to see the highlights of Nagasaki. Read Fukuoka blog here.
I’ve already been to several cities in Japan, and every visit never disappoints. Truly, Japan is among the top destinations on my list, and I don’t mind going back again and again. But when asked about my preferences, I always mention Fukuoka as one of the favorites. Here’s why,
1. Fukuoka, the capital city of Kyushu Island(Southern Japan), has a more relaxed vibe, less crowded and less overwhelming compared to larger Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Whilst Fukuoka offers all the conveniences of a modern destination, such as shopping, transportation, and entertainment, the city also offers easy access to history and natural parks around Kyushu, like Nagasaki, Beppu Geothermal Springs and Yufuin mountain village. And the best way to see Kyushu is by purchasing the unlimited JR train pass, which I did.
2. Food heaven. Fukuoka is known for its tonkotsu ramen and street food stalls (yatai). The city is a gourmet paradise, offering a wide variety of local dishes, as well as international.
3. Affordability. Compared to other major Japanese cities, Fukuoka generally offers a more affordable cost of living, particularly when it comes to accommodation and daily expenses. The capsule hostel I stayed in only cost me around 20 usd per night.
Add: Fukuoka has a lot of thrift stores/second hand stores, selling vintage clothes, bags to branded guitars.
4. Accessibility. Fukuoka is well-connected to other parts of Japan by the JR Pass and has an international airport, making it an easy travel destination. Cebu Pacific has several flights to Fukuoka International Airport from NAIA. Check CEB official website for schedule.
Add: There is also a commercial ferry route that connects Fukuoka, Japan to Busan, South Korea. Travel time is between 6 to 10 hours at sea.
Where I Stayed: 9 Hours Capsule Hotel near Hakata Metro Station. Located at the 9th floor, with a great view of Fukuoka city center. The moment I stepped in the lobby, 9 hours immediately became a favourite, with typical Japanese aesthetics and ultra modern amenities. They even provided outfit, so people who stay for just one night don’t have to open their luggage anymore. Toiletries are also provided and everything is automated, even the check in process (passport scanner + face recognition).
The building opposite 9 Hours has a parking lot that reaches upto the roofdeck. see the cars on the left side?
Yes, yes. Singapore is known to be expensive. But with the right research and preparation, there are actually a lot of great things that tourists can do, without spending a dime on entrance fees.
The secret to maximizing your Singapore trip: The Singapore Tourist Pass and an ample amount of Data to stay online.
THE SINGAPORE TOURIST PASS– buy this at Changi Airport and you get unlimited train and bus access around the whole Singapore within the desired number of days. I bought the 5 days pass for 45 SGD, but there are 2 and 3 days package as well, for less. I also downloaded the SG MRT (Train) app. The bus routes, I checked from time to time on google. As such, staying connected is necessary. I purchased a LOCAL DATA SIM (Singtel) via KLOOK, which I conveniently claimed at Changi airport upon arrival. The Klook lady at Changi T2 assisted me re the sim registration. The Singtel Sim only cost me less than 400 Pesos, and 100 GB yun ha. Na-appreciate ko gid ang Klook ba.
So yun pag tourist ka and first timer, syempre aaura ka dun sa Merlion and the Marina Bay area, which I also did. The whole of Bay area and Singapore Central Business district is actually very interesting to see. Importante lang gid may data ka.
Marina Bay Sands, Fullerton Hotel, Old City Hall, Clark Quay and all those colorful buildings along the way. Walkable ito lahat.
Visit the NANYANG TECH UNIVERSITY. Madami interesting Architecture sa loob ng campus. And these buildings area free to visit naman pero wag ka na pumasok sa mga lecture floors ha. Baka mapreso ka. Matagal ko na pangarap magvisit sa campus. In fact, I once aspired to study here, kaso the financials will not work for me. The piled-up circular building below is known as The Hive. It is one of Nanyang Tech’s marvelous architectural feature.
To get there: PIONEER Mrt then take the Bus 179 na iikot sa buong campus. Dami din cheap eats around, kasi nga students ang market ng area.
Another architectural marvel that I did not miss to visit was The Geneo Mall at Kent Ridge Park. It is one of Singapore’s newest mall na palaban ang interiors, featuring engineered wood arches, glass louvers, lots of indoor greens and an ample skyklight to brighten up your day. Char. Bsta maganda ito and the Mall is directly attached to Kent Ridge Metro Station.
To get there: Kent Ridge MRT.
At syempre colonial mentality tayo, I also made time to see the Newest Starbucks in Singapore sa Chinatown, malapit sa Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. They also say this is SG’s prettiest Starbucks and I will not argue with that. This store is set up in an old colonial/heritage house. If you are a Starbucks merch collector, this branch has the most SG items available.
How to get there: Chinatown MRT or Maxwell MRT (which is harap lang ng Buddha temple). And while you’re there, mag Maxwell food center na din kayo mga auntey.
Explore Little India. Little India is also a very interesting district to explore, kase sobrang unique at foreign din ng vibe nya. Yes, madami po Indians sa Singapore, so much that they were able to form a dedicated area. I posted several tiktok videos of me exploring Little India. Check nyo sa link dun sa dulo ng article na to.
No secret, Little India din ang cheapest area in SG to stay and for foodtripping. I swear, sobrang hefty ng meals dito.
How to Get there: Little India MRT station and explore on foot. If you can, go to Mustafa Center for cheap shopping. The Cheapest in the island, legit.
You’ll find the colourful House of Tan Teng Niah in the heart of Little India – it’s a fav with the instagrammers! 😍 Also pag nahanap mo na building na ito, the food center in front of this serves the best Chicken Biryani and Masala in my opinion.
Another interesting place to see in SG are the well- preserved Peranakan Houses at Joo Chiat, malapit sa Old Airport Road. Peranakan Houses are colonial Portuguese-Chinese residences of the earlier days, owned by the Mestiso Chinese of the middle to upper middle class. Very Vibrant ng area na to, fit for pictorials and all that kineme.
Hot to get there: Bus lang po. I remember 154 basta google mo nalang. Also madami din Vietnamese restaurants na affordable dito na area, aside sa Chinese restaurants, of course.
And while in Peranakan, I looked for this Ay Yeeh Soon Kueh, a traditional Chinese-Singaporean food stall that is often visited by locals. Nasa likod lang ito ng Peranakan Houses. Naenjoy ko din ang vegetarian (bamboo shoot) dumplings at sticky mushroom and rice. Affordable also.
Ok pag sawa ka na sa view from the ground, try mo naman ang panoramic view of the Marina Bay from the 51st floor of CAPITA SPRING BUILDING. As much as gusto ko e-gate keep, pero eto na. Free ito ha. Wag kayong ano. May bar/Cafe din kase sa taas. mag chill ka dun. cool siguro din dito pag gabi. no?
How to get there: Walk2x ka lang sa Central Business District. Pangitaa!
Gardens by the Bay is also worth visiting, especially at night. The front area is a public (Free) place naman, you only pay the entrance lang pag papasok ka. Ok na ako sa labas, kapoy na din.
And to cap the night, see the Fountain Show at the Marina Bay Sands. I attended the 8pm show. this is free for all.
Cheap Eats : skip the malls and fancy restaurants. Go for Hawkers Center and Food Courts. Happy na ako dun. Promise.
Featured meals below : Masala Chicken Biryani Rice from the food court in Little India, the Old Airport Road Wanton Noodles and the Laksa meal I had from the foodcourt at Pioneer Station on my way to Nanyang University. Mura ito lahat. 5 to 8 dollars.
Bonus Ganap: Experience the Suntori Robot Barista at Duty Free Departure lounge of Changi Terminal 2. Free lang ito din. Surprise nga ako nahanap ko to. Go check out the Robot Barista on my Tiktok here.
Where I stayed: Spacepods at Paya Lebar, near the Singapore National Stadium, because I watched Lady Gaga Live in Concert. See Snippets of Mayhem Singapura here. I will post about concert preparations separately. Dami ko din tikal about that.
Still stuck in my post-concert blues! It’s been days since the opening night of Mayhem Singapura, and I am still at high that I finally experienced Lady Gaga, live!
MAYHEM SINGAPURA 5.18.2025
The pre-game. Met some fellow little monsters in SG. Shout out, Dan Dale! 🙂 We went to Singapore National Stadium around 4PM. It was way too early for the 8 pm show, but a time well-spent to see and mingle with fellow monsters who flew to SG from as far as China and Australia. The pre-show vibe was all fun and costume-quirky. I low-key regret not wearing one.
Stadium Security was strict. I brought with me a small bagfor essentials and a clear water bottle. It’s good to know that water is refillable inside the stadium for free. Snacks and light meals at the booths rage from 5 to 14 SGD.
As per my seat, I purchased a CAT1,PA6, which is relatively close to the stage (approx 25 to 30m away). This is already a good seat, considering the 50,000 seating capacity of the venue. I purchased my ticket straight from ticketmaster.sg website. No agents fee or mark up whatsoever. Everything was DIY.
The best stage design inspired by the Phantom of the Opera. Huge stage prod, typical of Lady Gaga extravagance.The “Mayhem” show is a theatrical experience that brings Lady Gaga’s new album “Mayhem” to life. Killer choreography, a spectacular stage setup with multiple props and costume changes, and a night of singing, dancing, and fun, elevating the traditional concert format.Mayhem show is an artistic masterpiece. This photo was taken when LG performed ‘Paparazzi’Act 4. Best part of the show, IMO. Lady Gaga in her raw form, just being her undecorated self, with her piano and a voice full of love.The world stood still when Lady Gaga sang ‘Shallow’.‘Bad Romance’ as the finale number. The show lasted 2 hrs.Full house 50,000 pax. And I am proud to be part of this assemblyMRT Station after the show. On Full packed
Still on high whenever I recall moments from the Mayhem tour in Singapore, and seeing Lady Gaga perform and actually connect with us, the audience. At some point, I stopped recording and just enjoyed her music and presence. Gaga has, and will always have a place in my heart.
What to do on a 3 days lay-over in Los Angeles. No intro needed. We go straight to the essentials.
Getting Around : Flyaway bus from LAX Airport to Union station and back. 12.75 USD per way. Union station connects passengers to the city’s Metro Train. Train stations in LA are fairly easy to navigate. And for convenience, I purchased a TAP card at the station as my mode of fare payment, instead of cash. Unlimited Train fare package can be purchased at 7 USD/day or 25USD for 7 days use. Check nyo nalang google for more info.
Where to Stay: Choose Hollywood Blvd. It’s where the magic happens (for tourists). Hollywood is considered the heart of Los Angeles due to its strong association with the American film industry and its status as a major entertainment hub. The area’s iconic landmarks, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, draw tourists and are symbols of the city’s rich cinematic heritage.
I Stayed at Samesun Hostel, which is conveniently located at the front of Hollywood Highlands Metro Station. Pricewise, this hotel is very much justifiable. The famous Hollywood Walk of Fame is just outside of the hostel, as well as the TCL theatre. Any hollywood movie fan will enjoy this area. Price per night is around 2,200 Pesos (backpackers/dorm type). Room is pretty spacious to share with 5 other guests. Quiet din ang place, and legit malamig ang AC, malinis, and bathroom/toilets were good. Light continental breakfast is included with the stay; oatmeal bars,cereal, bagel, creamcheese, butter, apple, orange and hot drinks. Generous nga eh. Also, may drinking water for free, 24/7. Wifi din.
In all honesty, I find LA cheaper and more likeable than NYC. and mas chill.
Fun things to do:
Star hunting at Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre. Free activity ito. Walking by the star markers and hand prints is the closest that we can get to our favourite hollywood stars. On special days, we also get a chance to see (or at least get a glimpse) of the stars themselves on special events at the TCL theatre.
Added knowledge: Parasocial relationships—the relationships that people have with media figures such as actors, celebrity influencers, or even television characters
Hollywood Wax Museums: Madam Tussaud is the most popular. Some of the statues are set up at the lobby. Free photo op for all. Horror Museums can also be experienced if that is your thing.
Universal Studios: The Amusement park complex is a bit of a walk up from the metro train station, but there’s a free shuttle bus that can take you to the front of the park. Free Photo outside and the mall side of USH is open to all.
The original Jacket used by Uma Thurman for Kill Bill movie, the original Captain America shield are on display at USH mall, among other memorabilia.
Griffith Observatory: Free activity din. Griffith Observatory is southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! Visitors may look through telescopes (for Free), explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. Griffith is situated up the hill, but there are DASH buses from the Vermont/Sunset metro station for only 35 cents.
Got to see a closer look the moon and planet Jupiter with this power telescope, for free!
Architecture Appreciation: A stroll around downtown LA is a feast for the eyes of lovers of architecture. I visited Disney Concert Hall, the Broad Modern Art Museum, among others. The best spot for modern LA is around the Grand Metro Station.
Santa Monica State Beach: The public beach famous for the Baywatch Series. This beach can easily be reached via the Metro Station with the Tap Card. Aside from the beach view, there’s also the iconic Santa Monica Pier with its own amusement park, equipped with the world’s only solar-powered Ferris Wheel and a roller coaster.
As I observed, Food choices and hostel stay are relatively cheaper in LA than in NYC. Based on my trip preparations din, plane tickets to the US from Ph are the cheapest when LA is the chosen point of entry. Gusto ko sa LA. I am definitely going back.
As for the US Visa details, to follow na lang! ems.
“Parang Pinas lang,tih!” Yan gyud una ko naisip nung naglakad2x na ako around San Salvador City.
In a good way though, kase saktong kaulion napud ko ato na time. Running 30 days na ako sa travel, I needed something familiar and San Salvador gave me that. First thing, parang Pinas lang ilang main road. Parang Davao. Parang San Pedro Street to be precise, with Palengke sa dulo and Church naman sa kabila, with road repairs din, Ukay2x stores and BBQ kiosks everywhere. Tas yung mga sound system na stores, naga loop play ng Blackpink playlist. Oh di ba?
Here below features a karinderia-like set up along the street. oh diba parang Pinas lang? katulogon pa si Anteh.
Many of the food choices are also quite familiar, with obvious Hispanic influence. Madaming dishes na masarsa at ginisa. Afritada is a common thing, as well as chorizo. Compared sa Mexico na mas common ang tacos at corn tamales at bread/tortilla, mas ramdam ko ang rice supremacy dito sa Central America.
Never ako nagutom sa San Salvador (in fact, sa buong Latin America naman). Food is affordable.
They also have Leche Flan. lol
San Salvador also uses a Jeepney-like vehicle as mode of transportation. They call it chicken bus. If this is not your thing of transport, Uber app naman is reliable sa El Salvador.
More views around San Salvador, the Capital City of El Salvador.
The main cathedral of San Salvador City, opposite the National Palace and public park.
During my visit, San Salvador was busy doing retrofits and beautification of their colonial district, in preparation for the Miss Universe Pageant. This was from November 2023, during Michelle Dee’s time.
I didn’t get to see the girls though. Pero ramdam ko ang Miss Universe fever. The El Salvadoreans are soo into it.
Here’s something fun and new (at least para sa akin). They sell purified water on plastic pouches. Complete with brand and all. Plastic was quite tough to tear. More environmental? You tell me.
I’ve also noticed the adoration of El Salvadorean to their current President/First Family. Dun lang ako nakakita ng ref magnets with the face of President Nayib Bukele. Perhaps we can make something like this for BBM as well?
Pasalubong purchases. Dito ako sa San Salvador Namili ng most of the food that I can take back home. Mura Sa El Salvador. Presyong Pinas, in my opinion. They use USD as Currency so no need to exchange na din. I bought nuts, as well as lots of Tablea (Hot Choco). 1 Dollar lang eh.
I stayed in San Salvador for 3 nights. It was my last latin city stop before I headed back to the US. Supposedly may Guatemala pa, which is only 4 hours from San Salvador by bus. Kaso the time I went, nagkaroon ng people power o civil war of some sort. As advised by some friends, kinancel ko na ang Guatemala leg of the trip, and spent more days na lang in Los Angeles, which is up next.
If there’s one core memory I got from my quick stay in Managua, was that nag-tae2x ako dun. Read on.
In all honesty, there’s nothing much to see in Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. As other travelers mentioned, the vibe of Nicaragua is found not in the city, but with the small colonial towns located along the beach/coast, to which are not part of my itinerary. I merely passed by Nicaragua on my way to El Salvador where I took my flight back to the United States.
Pansin ko lang din sa Managua ha, wala silang Government-run Tourist Center where I can buy souvenirs. Managua is the only capital city where I had difficulty finding a quality moulded/3d fridge magnet (I collect this, btw). I walked around and happen to pass by the city’s tourism office, gi-tanong ko tlga. They said that there is none, and only offered me some local delicacies and a printed souvenir. So I settled for that nalang.
To give a picture, Managua is like Davao City. Ganun. Actually sa tingin ko mas progressive and mas busy pa ang Davao. Though Managua, as the nation’s capital city, maayos at maalaga sila sa palace nila, where the government seat resides. Maganda, malinis at malawak ang roads at landscaping. Though compared to it’s neighboring countries, Managua has very little preserved colonial/historic areas to offer.
Anyways, share ko some memories and snapshots I took during my stay in Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua.
The National Palace of Nicaragua
Some cool installations at the park facing Lake Xolotlán, walking distance from the National Palace
The contemporary-designed Metropolitan Cathedral of Managua. Notice the ceiling composed of multiple domes na oculus/skylight hole sa kada gitna. It’s how the lit up the interior of the Cathedral during daytime, kaya maaliwalas. From the outside, it looks like dozens of white siopao.
It was the first time I had pulled pork bbq sandwich from Mcdonald’s in Nicaragua. We rarely get pork menu from Mcdonald’s, so this meal is quite an experience for me. The cheesecake is also a bomb!
fun fact, whenever I travel to a foreign land, I always make a point to visit a Mcdonald’s branch and check the entries in their menu that are inspired by local flavours. I already have a handful of interesting meals from different countries, I should blog about this soon.
Here are some other cute menus that I found from random restaurants while walking. Interestingly, they call pansit/noodle dish as Chop Suey. talking about language barrier. lol
Accommodation for backpackers are quite limited in Managua. I stayed at Sam’s Travel (located at the second floor of a travel agency). It’s the only place I found that is relatively near TICA bus terminal, where I took my onward bus to Honduras. The hostel do not accept card payment and were also quite skeptic with the cash I used to pay. Kalat daw kasi fake bills dun. So, this is also something to check on. Though ako, sa land border crossing na ako nagpapalit ng local bill before I entered Nicaragua. along the road lang na tao offering exchange. Quite shady to be honest, but I still took the risk.
Sabi sa akin mataas daw crime rate sa Nicaragua. However, Ok naman stay ko dun. I felt safe walking around, kahit gabi. Though I observed na wala masyadong police presence. As for transportation, Wala pang Uber dun when I visited. I used InDrive App. cashless payment din.
Lastly, memorable sa akin ang Tica Bus terminal ng Managua, dahil inatake ako ng LBM dun. To add to the inconvenience, WALANG DOOR INSTALLED sa toilet partition ng terminal like WTF. However, di ko na kinaya ang sakit ng tiyan so deadma na sa ganap. Tumae ako in an open cubicle while other men came in and out. Good thing they did not mind my situation, except for that kid, may batang lalake na around 7 years old na pabalik2x and giving malicious glance like jusko di siguro sanay makakita ng Asian Dude, moreso, tumatae pa in public. Oh well. One for the books! Backpackers tayo eh.
Some months ago, me and my travel buddies packed our luggages for a quick 4-days getaway to Zhangjiajie City, in Hunan Province of Central China. This trip was like out of the blue. ‘Nagkayayaan lang sa groupchat’, so to speak. Jhov found an affordable pre-arranged tour to Zhangjiajie for only 599 USD, inclusive of airfare,tours*, hotel and full board meals. We only had around 45 days prior to departure. Pero ok lang kase packaged travel na ito. Pack and go na. The agency also facilitated our Chinese Visa. Will be sharing the agency details at the end. But before that, here are some info’s and highlights of the trip.
My first to fly with Royal Air (Chinese Airline). There were only around 25 pax sa flight First stop, the Glass Bridge. A bit foggy when we went.
Zhangjiajie has the longest Glass Bridge with the highest altitude in the world. The sky glass bridge is constructed between two peaks, spanning the entire Grand Canyon. It was composed by steel structure and glass. This well designed Glass Bridge is 430 meters in length with the main part of the bridge to be 375 meters.
Featuring Ate Jhov
On our day 2, we went to the Avatar Mountain Nature Reserve, which was the highlight of this packaged tour. The park’s unique landscape inspired the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” in James Cameron’s movie Avatar.
Syempre madami ako selfie. Blog ko to eh. Bakit ba?! Ems.
Day 3, Tianmen Mountain. Famous for the keyhole (as part of a cave on top of the mountain), which can clearly be seen from afar. Kahit from the airport pa lang upon landing. Also known as Heaven’s Gate, this rock formation is a natural wonder and a symbol of a passage to the heavens. The place has cultural significance in Chinese history and folklore.
Tianmen Mountain for me is the highlight of the trip. Bata pa lang ako, nakikita ko na ito sa Chinese movies we watched at home. Betamax pa panahon na yun ba! And yung moment na kaharap ko na yung mountain in actual, grabe, surreal.
The way to go up Tianmen Mountain is by Cable car, which is claimed by tourist publications as the “longest passenger cableway of high mountains in the world”, with a total length of 7,455m and ascent of 1,279m. The highest gradient is 37 degrees.
Zhangjiajie City itself is also very charming and laid back. Maliit na city lang ito, with just over a million residents. The industry is fueled mainly by tourism. Gustong gusto ko ang city na ito on both day and night.
72 Strange Buildings, or 72 Wonder Towers in Zhangjiajie is the Guinness World’s Highest Stilted Building at a height of 109.9m.
Street market finds
Overall, the trip to Zhangjiajie was very pleasant. Magaganda din ang hotels that was pre-arranged for us. 4 stars rating.
Pero yun best part ng trip para sakin was the FOOD. Promise, sa food, we never felt tinipid. To think affordable ang tour na ito ha compared sa ibang packages. Oh heto some of the meals that we enjoyed. Di ko na matandaan pangalan ng each, basta authentic Central China dishes. Walang lumpia at pansit guisado dun. At madami gulay, which I like.
This tour to Zhangjiajie was arranged for us by Uno Turismo Travel Agency, which is based in Quezon City. Go find them on Facebook.
Shout out ko na din si Natalie, who is also from Davao. bigla kami nag kita sa isang restaurant dun sa Zhangjiajie. Grabe ka random maka-bump on old friends during a trip overseas. 😅
As me if I want to join again this pre-arranged tour to Zhangjiajie? DEFINITELY. Pagkain pa lang sulit na. Tara sa Autumn 2025? 🇨🇳♥️
The moment I landed in San Jose, Costa Rica, I immediately felt the vibe that’s undeniably similar to my home country (Pilipinas). Not just on the obvious colonial Spanish influences we shared, but on the actual environment itself, since CR is also a tropical island-country surrounded by seas on both sides. With only around 50 sq. km. land area, the whole of Costa Rica is actually smaller than Mindanao, which has a land area of approx 95 sq. km. From above, the Costa Rican landscape is generally green with scattered mountain ranges. I’ve also seen patches of mineral-mining sites, which is very similar to the Ph. Hopefully though, their regulations are better than ours.
The weather in CR is hot/humid. I believe Ph shares the same latitude as CR and other nearby Central American Countries. The time I went there, i experienced rain scattered throughout the day. Also during arrival, I noticed that the airport interior looks super similar sa Arrival Hall of Mactan/Cebu I.A. The classic glossy marble flooring gave the vibe.
With the strong Spanish Influence, Costa Rica is still dominantly Catholic ’til today. The historic landmarks says a lot about it.
In San Jose, I stayed for two nights at Casa Colon Hostel, which is a pre-WWII mansion that has been converted to a hotel, then to an affordable hostel today. Quite memorable kase ako lang guest nun sa isang lumang bahay, like goodluck. The stay turned out very pleasant though. I rested very well.
The weather expectedly influences the lifestyle and way of living of the locals. I went to a public market in San Jose, and agricultural/harvested products are very similar to ours. The locals also dress almost exactly like us, and guess what? Madami din Ukay-ukay stalls dun, as well as sidewalk vendors! Here are some random shots I got during my free-days in the Costa Rican Capital.
The food I shared above is Arepa Venezuelana. Arepa is Latin America’s answer to European bread. But instead of using wheat or rice flour, arepa is made of corn flour, which is common in the area. The hefty white filling is actually chicken in cream sauce, which was very good. Hinanap ko snackhouse na ito via tripadvisor e.
I found the cutest Starbucks disposable cup in Costa Rica. Trivia, Starbucks owns Hacienda Alsacia, a 240-hectare coffee farm in Costa Rica, that serves as a global Research and Development facility and working farm for the global brand. The farm is open for visitors at certain times of the year.
The public market in San Jose is probably the cleanest,most well-maintained public market in any third world country. I enjoyed this “Casado” plate, which is a traditional combo meal in Central America, consisting of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and a protein. For this plate, I had beef machado, which I find very similar to our humba na bisaya.
In all honesty, tinamad na ako mag tour around San Jose, as i was already on my third week of travel. Peru and Colombia (Bogota) took so much energy from me. Undeniably, these two were the highlights of my Latin American trip. Rio stressed my a lot, as such, naging pahinga ko na din actually itong stay sa Costa Rica. Mura din ang pagkain, but I actually started to crave for fast food na. lol
Filipinos are visa-free to enter Costa Rica, btw.
From San Jose, the adventure continues to Nicaragua by land/public bus. Dito na yata start ng pinaka mahirap na leg of the trip. Kwento ko later.
Though prior to the trip, I already got a handful of heads up that Rio can somewhat be notorious on tourists; especially solo travelers. I had friends from Cebu who got robbed, mobbed and harassed in Selaron (a popular tourist spot) in broad daylight. Yun cover photo ko, yan yung Selaron. Robbers took their passports as well, thus destroying their onward plans in South America. As such, I was double cautious all the time. Opted to stay in Rio for just two nights. My only priority was to visit the Christ Redeemer Sanctuary and I am done. See my Christ Redeemer blog post here.
Despite all the warnings, I still got scammed in Rio. Guess what? By an Uber driver. During my ride from the airport, I paid the driver with local currency-cash. But as soon as I was dropped off, I received a notification from Uber, saying that the most recent ride was charged to my credit card. It still puzzles my how the driver changed the mode of payment after the ride, since these choices are done by me, prior to the ride. I immediately made an incident report on this. However, i cannot use the app while the investigation is going. At di ko kaya yon! I needed a legit booking app more than ever in Rio. As such, ni let go ko nalang. doble tuloy kita ng driver sakin. Good thing it only happened once.
Another inconvenience I encountered in Rio was that all my Visa/Mastercard Credit and Debit Cards got declined immediately on my first attempt to swipe for food at Rio airport. The cards were from Eastwest and BPI, both local Filipino banks. I reported the incident to Eastwest Bank online support, yet they could not find any errors, saying that my cards have always been ready for international use. Meanwhile, BPI online did not respond to me. These cards worked well with other countries though. So yun, ni-let go ko na. Total, 2 nights lang naman ako sa Rio.
I had a friend who traveled to Rio na din (for work) pero never naman daw nagka problema credit card nya. However, Citibank at HSBC daw dala nya that time. As such, baka nga yung local banks ko lang ang nag-drama for the eme.
Isa din sa di ko nagustuhan sa Rio is dirty at daming homeless na high on drugs sa daan. Though galing naman ako sa Pinas so these street views should not be new to me. Pero malala talaga dun. O baka kasi sa old/historic district ako nag stay. kaya yun. Oh well. Isip ko nalang minor inconveniences lang ito compared sa iba.
Despite all the inconveniences, I must also acknowledge that Rio is a visually stunning city with its evident colonial architecture influences, as well as its surrounding hills, beaches and ocean. The panoramic views from Sugar Loaf and Christ Redeemer Shrine in Corcovado are amazing.
I joined a Free walking tour once again with Guru walk during my first day and here are some random shorts around the old/Historic quarters of Rio:
Dami murals and splash of colors sa streets nila.
Spent a nice afternoon at Confeitaria Colombo, Rio’s oldest cafe & best dessert around! Cafe Colombo had been operating since 1860. I must also highlight that coffee in Rio is sooo Good! Brazil produces a variety of specialist grade, single origin coffees with a high-quality taste with notes of cocoa on their latte (a local barista told me this).
Here is how I spent my lazy 3-days stay in Bogota,Colombia on a thrift.
Joined aFREE WALKING TOUR with GuruWalk. When arriving a foreign city as a backpacker, the best way to a get quick familiarization of the place is by joining free walking tours organized by locals and long stay tourists alike. Free walking tours offer quick discussions on the city’s history, while passing by landmarks and relevant districts. Tours usually last for 2 hours, so prepare to walk that much. And with this, you can get insider tips on the nice places to eat, things to do for your succeeding days, and how to get around, as well as safety measures when touring. Guruwalk is just one of the large and reputable organizations offering free walking tours on key destinations around the globe, but there are several others. Feel free to check on tripadvisor for recos.
Our free walking tour took us around La Candelaria, which is the old/historic center of Bogota. Our tour ended at the foothills of Monserrat where there is a significant catholic shrine at the peak that can be accessed by a cable car. Most of my tour companions proceeded to the shrine on their own, but I planned to schedule my visit the next day, and opted to just stay in La Candelaria for a lazy afternoon stroll. Here are some more snapshots of this lovely city.
The sanctuary of Monserrate. The sanctuary of Monserrate in the eastern hills of Bogotá can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. It is located at 3,172 meters above sea level, at the top of Monserrate or Cerro de Las Nieves. Devotees walk up an almost two mile path to this traditional site of religious pilgrimage, which began in 1620 with the shrine of Our Lady of Monserrate. The basilica houses the image of the Fallen Lord of Monserrate, an effigy of Christ which, according to the faithful, performs miracles, and at the top visitors can walk the Stations of the Cross. The history of this sacred place dates back almost 500 years, from the early years of Spanish settlement in Colombian soil. The shrine also boasts a panoramic view of the whole Bogota City.
BOTERO MUSEUM. The museum dedicated to the works of reknowned Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero. His signature style, also known as “Boterismo”, depicts people and figures in large, exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism or humor, depending on the piece. He was considered the most recognized and quoted artist from Latin America. One of his most known masterpiece is his volumized version of Leonardo da Vinci’s Monalisa . Entrance is Free.
Aside from Botero’s works, the museum collection also brings together, some works of renowned artists as Picasso, Leger, Renoir, Monet, Dali, Giacometti, Beckmann, Freud, Calder, and Bacon. Each day near a thousand people visit the Botero Museum.
THE GOLD MUSEUM (Museo de Oro) of Colombia. This extraordinary museum offers a well-arranged display of recovered antique gold (real gold) from the pre-hispanic days of Colombia. It has 34,000 gold pieces, the largest collection of antique goldwork in the world, including the fabled Muisca Raft, which was said to have been recovered from a sacred lake. In 2018, National Geographic magazine named it one of the best museums in the history of the planet. Much of the antique gold pieces were used in daily life, as gifts or as part of sacred rituals in the indigenous Muisca and Tayrona cultures. Themed rooms with explanations give great insight into the artistry and significance of these indigenous cultures. Entrance is only 4000 Colombian Pesos (around 1 USD), yet you get to see so much.
My visit to the gold museum made me understand why the Spaniards back in the days were so thirsty to take over the lands and native people of Colombia; and that is for their Gold. Similar case also happened to the Incan’s of Peru.
Museums in Bogota also made me think how overpriced museums in the Philippines are. 🙂
The last day, i just spent on casual walks as well as foodtrip and cafe hopping. Check out my Colombian food blog here. Fruits and other produces are quite similar to the Philippines. Probably because of similar tropical lands, as well as strong Spanish influence.
Free days are the best days during vacation. With no itinerary to follow, I just walked around La Candelaria district of Bogota, enjoyed coffee, ate the best rice tamale for breakfast, and had a hefty 1″ thick steak for lunch. As a tropical country with fertile land, food is more affordable in Bogota; probably the cheapest of all the places I’ve visited in South America. Here are some of the memorable meals I had during my 3 days visit.
I’ve had different types of Tamale during my travel, but Bogota gave me the best one. It’s packed with fragrant yellow rice and corn combination, carrot slices and chunks of braised pork rib and chicken, plus complimentary bread and coffee. Mura lang ito, around 100 pesos if converted.
Ajiaco is one of the many regional Colombian dishes you can’t leave the country without trying. It’s a hearty soup made from three different kinds of potatoes, chicken, guasca leaves, with a half an ear of corn splashed in for good measure. Also served with a slice of avocado (locals mix them with the soup for added texture). I had this meal during my day tour at Monserrat Religious Shrine overlooking Bogota.
Meat is relatively cheap in Colombia. I enjoyed a thick slab of steak from Banquete Restaurante, a seated,full service restaurant in La Candelaria, serving good local dishes. This steak set cost me a little over 500 Php, i think; salad included. The red pepper\tomato gravy on top is mild. Not too hot. Picante as they say. Very different from our usual gravy here in PH. I also had freshwater shrimp ceviche as appetizer. Sobrang sarap nito. Shrimp is blanched (not raw).
Sealed the afternoon with churros and Tostao Coffee, an affordable coffee chain in Bogota. Also enjoyed random street chorizo arepas (sandwich) I think went back 3x on this street kiosk during my stay. Ibang level ang chorizos (sausages) sa Bogota, I tell you.
A memorable last dinner in Bogota. I had this hefty plate of Bandeja Paisa, so i can try various dishes in one seating.
Bandeja Paisa is a traditional Colombian dish that contains beans, rice, arepa, traditioinal chorizo, plantain, chicharrón, avocado and marinated ground beef (like arroz cubana). I’ve noticed that Latins serve avocado as a side without any sweeteners; in contrast to us who only appreciates the fruit when it’s sweet and creamy.
To close the meal, I went to try the hot chocolate drink at La Puerta Falsa, known as one of the oldest continuously operating cafe in the world. The drink is set with 2 types of bread of choice, butter and a slab of white cheese. Colombians usually melt the cheese with the hot drink. I did not like it. The mix of sweet taste of choco and the salty\sour cheese did not work for me. The cheese is excellent though… with the bread.
Some more random street food photos around Bogota. Fruits and other produces are quite similar to the Philippines. Probably because of similar tropical lands, as well as strong Spanish influence.
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