LITTLEMISSTEAPAT TRAVELS TO MELBOURNE

PATRICIA HERBOLARIO ON MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
20, blogger

1. What brought you there?  My mom had work-related duties there and I simply had to go because I took Australian Studies as an elective one semester ago. Nothing could have stopped me from going, I went there during final's week!

2. Must-try meal  Fish and chips are wonderful in Australia! They taste so different from the others I've had! The fish tasted fresh and the potatoes were out of this world! And the $2 sushi rolls! Hahaha!

3. You should not miss visiting or going to  The Great Ocean Road, it's a whole day trip to see the 12 Apostles but it is totally worth it. You'll see a lot of sights along the way! Ask your tour guide to bring you to Loch & George, it's a hidden beach with an amazing story!

4. What I saw  is that Melbourne perfectly preserves the old and new. You'll see architecture and buildings from the 1800's but you'll see Starbucks right beside it. They still use trams but I've noticed that a lot of people walk around since there's a lot of  things to see in Melbourne, especially in the main square. But be warned, the weather changes DRASTICALLY. In the  morning, it's summer. in the afternoon it rains and in the evening, it will be freezing! Plan your outfits wisely!

5. Most awesome thing I saw is a tough call between The Old Gaul or the Library. Both are totes a must visit! The Old Gaul has a tour where you can be "a prisoner", but it's really a tour of the gaul. The Library, on the other hand, is just breath taking! There's floors and floors of books and the Great Hall of it is just unforgettable! There's a free museum inside with Ned Kelly's armour - the National Hero...sort of :-)

6. Thrilling budget find ANYTHING DAIRY OR STEAK! Go to a Coles, it's bargain-world! 5 gallons of ice cream is like $8! Cole is also perfect for pasalubong! Try the Coles Chocolates, they taste like Cadbury but less the price!

7. Notable tips from locals They told me to have vegemite!!! Hahaha! No, thank you! Luckily, they also have coffee for breakfast, especially Flat White! I tried it and Flat White has been my coffee mix ever since. I ask for it in every café I go to in any country! (call that addiction)

8. What I expected For life to be super fast-paced but it wasn't! Melbourne is so chill and laidback! I want to settle there someday :-)

9. Must avoid traveller's trap  Don't buy souvenirs in the city, EVER! Go to Victoria Market in the weekend instead, there's more choices and it is so much cheaper!


More on Patricia! Check out her blog at http://littlemissteapat.com

AN ODE TO AUTUMN

This a poem inspired a fellow traveller and blogger while experiencing autumn in Connecticut USA.

Read on and be inspired!

An Ode to Autumn by Che Francisco

There was a time when autumn came 

And it brought colors to cloud of grey

The sun shone brighter despite the rain

Inspired great dreams come what may

But then the leaves started to fall

And with it the birds flew past and took away their song

Until the trees were no more but bare

Autumn came out rushing without a care

There was a time when autumn came 

When it left the smiles faded into pain

COPYRIGHT: csf10202015

3 important phrases to remember during in flight

Travelling almost once a month allows me to experience and observe a lot of things. And being a researcher, more often than not intended - I happen to observe a lot of people. I personally feel that a lot of things have got to say about our personality and manners when we are on board.

You may call yourselves business travellers, frequent flyers and jet setters - if you don't show any manners - it means nothing. 

Here are three (3) simple phrases and important manners that we should keep and remember during in flight:

EXCUSE ME

- Whenever you have to pass or walk along the aisle when boarding to make others aware that you are there behind them.

- When you happened to sit in the middle seat and have to excuse yourself to go the toilet or do something else.

- Whenever you need to request something from in-flight service.

- Whenever you have to ask politely the parent of the child that keeps opening and stalling the table or kicking your seat...you need to have a lot of patience for it to stop. Believe me it will happen.

SORRY

- If you unintentionally drop your in flight cabin luggage to someone else's head - say lots of them and I guess you will be completely forgiven.

- If you don't understand what the other person may be telling you or asking you about, saying sorry and asking them to repeat what they have to say.

THANK YOU

- To those stewardess and steward who served you your food, gave you water or any beverage when you need them or just for anything that you asked helped with. Remember they are not your maids! Show them courtesy and respect, they deserve it.

- To the guy who helped you take out your 7 kg of cabin luggage among other stuff that you no loner able to check in.

- To the person that is seated beside you who had helped you one way or the other.

- For a safe travel.

Remember that you are travelling and sharing the flight with other people majority of which you don't know. You don't own the plane, you have limited space and you will be with these same people the entire duration of the flight, so better behave.

*All photo credits to the owner

Stay safe travel buddies!

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST TOP 10 ALL-TIME FAVOURITE SINGAPORE HAWKER FOOD

As an entry point or travel hub centre, Singapore's food culture was vastly influenced by its geographical location and the various ethnicity that had since migrated to the country. And for most of you who have traveled in Singapore, you know that majority of the race is comprised of Chinese, Malay and Indians and knowing this fact alone you would know that the variety of dishes available could be aplenty.

Being a bustling trading pot, street peddling or hawking by different nationalities was a common sight during the early days. The proliferation, however, led to problems (mostly sanitary) that at the beginning of 1970, the first hawker centres were "created". This is of course through the effort of the Singapore government to resettle these street hawkers to more permanent locations.

Fast forward to now, many hawker centres are now part of many Singaporeans' lives. Hawker centres or cooked food centres are mostly open-air complexes that comprises many stalls selling a wide variety of local food that are affordable in price. These are mostly conveniently located in or near housing estates, usually some with nearby or adjourning wet and dry markets. These places are important part of the social culture where you will observe family gathering and social interaction as majority of the people have their three (3) meals a day in these places.
After living in Singapore for nearly eight (8) years now, we still do cook our food at home (sorry I am really for home-cooked meals) but these top 10 all time favourite Singapore hawker food will not escape my wandering palette for great food.
Source for identifying the best hawker places is through a published book entitled City Hawker Food Guide by City Gas Pte. Ltd. and Shin Min Daily News produced and published in Singapore.
Here are my top 10 all time favourite food (in no particular order).
Try and indulge!

1. CHICKEN RICE
Perhaps what could be called as the country's national dish, chicken rice originated from Hainan province in China (hence the name Hainanese chicken rice as it most popularly known for). It is very popular in Hainan and of course was introduced to Singapore by the immigrants from the same place.
I will let you in on some cooking tips, the secret ingredients to having a perfectly home cooked version of this dish is a blend of silky smooth white chicken, rice cooked in chicken broth and of course served with blended chili, garlic and dark soya sauce. Nowadays, you can also buy ready made mixes - not authentic but hey good enough if you are a newbie in cooking. 

Photo credit: www.thebestsingapore.com

You can get this in many places but best place to get this is at #02-16 Toa Payoh Lorong 1. Go to the nearest Toa Payoh MRT (red line) and head out for a bus and it could easily take you there.
2. LAKSA
There are two varieties, Curry Laksa and Asam Laksa, favoured by Singaporeans and Malaysians respectively. Curry Laksa uses fish cakes, shrimps, bean sprouts (or togue) cooked with coconut milk gravy base while Asam Laksa is a fish sour soup flavoured with cucumber, pineapple, shredded fish, lettuce, mint ginger buds served along with noodles. Finally added with sweet prawn paste.
Best place to get: #01-26 Upper Thomson Road (nearest MRT: Marymount - yellow or circle line)  

Laksa Curry

3. NASI LEMAK
A traditional Malay dish, this dish is usually fragrant and aromatic as the rice is cooked in coconut milk along with pandan leaves. Usually served with dried anchovies (or what is called ikan bilis)or fried fish or chicken, toasted or fried peanuts, sliced fresh cucumber and chili paste. As some eat it for breakfast, some dish comes with fried egg.

Best place to get: #02-15 Market Street Food Centre (nearest MRT: Raffles place - red line)

4. CHAR KWAY TIAO (or Fried Kway Tiao)
Literally stir fried cake strips, cooking styles are varied but those who are said to be the best usually have ingredients of fresh cockles, Chinese sausages, good quality soya sauce, Chinese chives and bean sprouts. Variations to the dish allows you to add more vegetables, hence, healthier.

Best place to get: #01-91 Beach Road, Golden Mile Food Centre (nearest MRTs - Nicoll Highway circle/yellow line; Lavender or Bugis both in green East West line)

5. HOKKIEN MEE
The story behind this ever Singapore favourite is that it was introduced by Hokkien-speaking immigrants from the province of Fujian China. It was said that after the Second World War, the Hokkien dock workers will gather around Rochor Road to cook this dish over kerosene stoves.
The noodles are usually a combination of two, thick yellow noodles and Beehoon (vermicelli or thin glass liked noodles) garnished with pork belly, egg, de-shelled prawns, bean sprouts and squid. The dish is basically stir fried over high heat in a typical Chinese wok covered with a lid so that the noodles soaked up the juices. Most interestingly served in dried nipa palm leaf. Best eaten with a serving of lime (or kalamansi) and shrimp chili paste (known as belachan to locals)...makes me crave for one by just writing...

Best place to get: #01-11 Chomp Chomp Food Centre in Kensington Park (nearest MRT - Kovan and Serangoon both in purple/North East line)

As I've eaten the dish before I took a photo, here's a photo taken from the sg-city-asia website. Thanks!
 

6. FISH SOUP
One of my favorites, fish soup is usually served with rice or as I would prefer it with Beehoon (vermicelli) so that it is light and nutritious. There is also an option for other type of noodles like egg or flour noodles.
The original version is actually a fish head soup but most stalls will just serve with thin slices of white fish - some stalls would actually offer a replacement of deep fried fish or a combination of both.
Some diners can also opt for condensed milk to be added in their soup. Always best to garnish with fish chili sauce and white pepper for a more flavourful indulgence.

Best place to get: #02-15 Market Street Food Centre (nearest MRT - Raffles place red line)

7. ROTI PRATA
Perhaps my first introduction to Indian cuisine is the roti prata. Roti actually means bread and prata means flat. This particular snack loved by many is popularly known as Indian pancake. Texture varies from soft to crispy and best to eat when freshly cooked and therefore hot. Varieties to this simple bread comes from adding egg into the mix before heated in a large hot griddle which I would normally prefer. However, several variations to this wonderful dish are now available almost everywhere. When ordered, it usually comes with curry for dipping or if you want sweet stuff, you can ask for sugar.

Best place to get: Jamila Food Stall Bedok North Street 3 - an HDB estate

Egg prata

8. YONG TAU FOO
This rich Hakka tradition made its way to Singapore with the variation of pork and fish paste stuffed in the tofu, tau kwa, chili, bitter gourd and okra and is usually served steamed or boiled with noodles in soup or dry versions. You can either top it with a combination of sweet sauce and chili sauce. Nowadays, some stalls serves healthy variety and you can mix and match the items you want included in the dish. Best for those who are into healthy diets.

Best place to get: #02-112 Amoy Street Food Centre - close to the Tanjong Pagar MRT station

Photo credit: healthguru.sg

9. BAK KUT TEH

Photo credit: healthguru.sg

Reading through the history, this dish originated a century ago in the province of Fujian province in China. This dish was introduced into Singapore by then labelled as "coolies" (this was a term used for unskilled workers. These people were mainly impoverished Chinese immigrants who moved to Singapore to seek better fortune but serving instead as unskilled labourers. As the story goes, immediately everyday after work, these coolies would buy pork bones, add pepper and spices and Chinese herbs to form thick, tasty broth for breakfast the next day. It was believed that this particular breakfast tea makes them endure the hard day's work. This comes into 2 varieties - the dark brown broth from Fujian and the Teochew clear broth. It can be best eaten with rice or dough fritters and never forget some dipping sauce of dark soya mixed with red chillies.

Best place to get: #01-04 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 (nearest MRT - Ang Mo Kio red line)

10. WANTON NOODLES

Photo credit: enews.sg

It can be served either dry or with soup, this particular dish has its origin in the province of Guangzhou in China.  It usually comes with char siew (roasted pork), fresh chai sim (green vegetables) and tasty wanton (dumplings) on springy noodles.
The wantons that is served with the noodles basically comprises of minced pork, soya sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and cornstarch. These are mixed and then wrapped in the wanton skin or wrapper and sealed with water. These wanton noodles can either be steamed or deep fried. The seasoning sauce is key to a good wanton noodles dish. Hawkers have their own versions to lure diners. Take your pick to the many varieties being offered.

Best place to get: #01-45 Tampines Street 11

Keep this list fellow travelers and the next time you are in Singapore you will be hungry no more.

Keep safe dears!

For any questions, comments - please write them down below. I will be happy to guide you.

8 Things Not To Do For An Enjoyable Stay At Costa Pacifica In Baler, Aurora

View of the Pacific Ocean at Costa Pacifica in Baler, Aurora

It seems that the province of Aurora has been in every Juan's bucket list following the many great things written about it by those who have gone ahead to visit. Take your pick: the waves at Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora which is every surfer's delight; the popular local fare of Baler suman and Nanay Pacing's peanut butter and coco jam for pasalubong; the inviting white sands and serenity of Dicasalarin Cove; the grandeur of the Sierra Madre mountains on the way to the province; cultural heritage sites: Aurora has a lot to offer for every Juan to explore.

My sister's family and I were fortunate to stay in the much talked about Costa Pacifica hotel when we visited the province of Aurora some two weeks ago, here are some tips that can make your stay more enjoyable and close to perfect when you choose to book at Costa Pacifica in Baler, Aurora for your accommodation.

1. Do not stay indoors.  I know that it is tempting to stay inside your air-conditioned room to sleep or catch up on your reading or watch an episode of an afternoon telenovela you are following but you will miss more if you do not go out and lounge near Costa Pacifica's main swimming pool.

My sister and I were surprised to be caressed with a cool breeze of air as we lounged in the area. We were prepared to feel hot and sticky like how we usually feel at the same time of day when the sun is scorching hot in other local beach resorts, think Boracay (wink, wink), but this unexpected cool breeze experience sure made its mark that it is something to return to when we think of where to go for a beach holiday.

The view of Sabang Beach from the main swimming area is also spectacular that you would wish that you could stay forever.

Outside our room at Casitas de Bahia in Costa Pacifica Baler, Aurora

 2. Do not regret taking Costa Pacifica's tour package. We had two options how we want to go around and see Baler and the nearby towns of Aurora. There were tricycle tours and the tour package offered by Costa Pacifica. The latter might appear expensive, P2,000 for the guide and P3,000 for the hotel van, but the price is value for your money especially when you are traveling as a big group.

The tour guide who brought us around Baler was patient, courteous and very accommodating of our questions and requests. He also safely led us as we crossed rivers, boulders and bamboo footbridges on our way to Ditumabo Mother Falls. 

It is on our way to the Balete Park and Ditumabo Mother Falls that we actually realized that we made the right decision to take Costa Pacifica's tour package instead of a tricycle tour because of the bumpy roads that need to be managed going there. The ride in the van provided the utmost comfort and convenience.

The Beach House Restaurant at Costa Pacifica Baler, Aurora

 3. Do not skip the pork floss, kimchi tofu, wood-fired oven pizzas and kiddie fish and chips in the Beach House's menu. While going through what the Beach House offers in their breakfast buffet, the pork floss and kimchi tofu caught my fancy as I looked at what I can get as toppings to my congee. I wondered at the pork floss because it did not look anyway near the pork floss I know, think Bread Talk pork floss here. ;) The Beach House's pork floss presented itself as thinly-shaved bagnet.  The curious and adventurous in me won in a brief moment of hesitation as I decided if I will try it or not.  And how I got hooked with it big time as I put it in my mouth! How can I not? It was crispy and flaky at the same time. Never hard that you will worry about your teeth falling off. Uuhmm, the chef did a great job with that.

The kimchi tofu lent the hint of hotness and spiciness to my congee, definitely a good substitute to the usual chili oils that you will find on congee bars. Their wood-fired oven pizza is not at all hype. It meets the 'high' expectations set by those who have tried and told about it first. One dish that really made me happy when in Aurora is their fish and chips. The fish covered with breading is fish caught fresh from the sea and not the farmed cream dory fillets that has penetrated the market here in Manila.

Try all of the above for a fulfilling meal when at The Beach House in Costa Pacifica Baler, Aurora. :)

4. Do not eat at The Yellow Fin Bar and Restaurant. The Yellow Fin Bar and Restaurant is located in the vicinity of Costa Pacifica. We always passed through this establishment on our way to our room in Casitas de Bahia. Do not eat in this bar and restaurant only if you do not want to smell like the grilled food that they serve and if you are allergic to smoke. Their grilling station is right below where customers are seated that the heavy smoke can be suffocating while waiting for one's order. But if the smoke does not bother you, then this is a go-to if you are on the lookout for budget meals and if grilled food is a favorite of yours.

5. Do not order Costa Pacifica's Halo-Halo. If there is one thing that disappointed us in a major way during our stay, it would be their halo-halo. We still tried it setting aside the reservations we had because of the unappealing way that it was served. There was a mound of coarse crushed ice in the middle of the glass swimming in melted ice with the other ingredients surrounding the mound and the milk served separately beside the glass. 

We started by pouring the milk and mixing the ice and then tasting the leche flan. The leche flan tasted flat and bland. My sister and I also had a hard time identifying a strange flavor which did not go well in the halo-halo and we decided that it must be cinnamon. 

Overall, their halo-halo did not deliver the way it was marketed in their menu. Sad.

6. Do not expect replacement of the toiletries. If you have the habit of getting the room's toiletries at the beginning of your stay, do not expect them to be replaced on the following day. Although this was not a real issue with us. I just thought of mentioning it for your knowledge. ;) But maybe they would if you asked, which we did not try.

A beetle turned into a grilling station at Baler Surfer Grill

7. Do not miss the best barbecue in Baler. The Baler Surfer Grill is one of the neighboring restaurants in the area of Costa Pacifica that we visited. This is a must-experience if you feel like trying something out of the ordinary and other fare besides that which is served in the hotel. The Baler Surfer Grill can be easily found at the Baywalk along Sabang Beach. We were delighted to discover that it is an easy walk from our room in Casitas de Bahia taking the Baywalk going to Costa Pacifica's main lobby.

Their special barbecue sauce is something worth going back to whenever you are in Baler. As in!

8. Do not leave without saying 'thank you' to Costa Pacifica's staff. Our stay was made relaxing, stress-free and enjoyable by the staff who made sure that we had no less than a pleasant experience. They always asked how we are without being intrusive which I find refreshing. They were also very helpful in providing directions where to buy Nanay Pacing's peanut butter and coco jam and Puno's ice cream.

Saying 'thank you' came naturally for us because the excellent service they extended is not difficult to appreciate.

Every stay in Costa Pacifica is unique in itself. Whether you stay there for a few days or longer, make your stay more enjoyable with a few things you should not do mentioned above.

TICKLE YOUR PALATE WITH THESE CHINESE GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS

Photo taken from www.decorationroom.info

It is the year of the Chinese Goat! And by way of tradition, celebration (and eating) will still continue until the 15th day after. And when you talk about this big celebration among our Chinese friends, it only meant one thing - FOOD! (and lots of them!) This is my little way of paying tribute to my Chinese colleagues and friends for introducing me to their delicious and one-of-a-kind cuisine. 

Here's a photo blog of what I had savoured best....from the odd ones (and perhaps more for the adventurous types) to the best ones. I always kept coming back for more.

I did remember some of the places where you can find them so you can head out and try it out yourself. But to most, I simply indulged. 

Nevertheless you may want to keep the photo on site so the next time you are in China, you can just refer to it and point it out. These days, most Chinese are happy to post on blog sites as well as get recommendations from fellow critiques. So I am pretty sure you will be able find them. In any case, just go and explore whatever is available...all ready for the taking.

Have a feast! 

And here's wishing everyone the best in the year of the Chinese Ram!

China Hairy Crab - very seasonal and mostly available during October

Shrimp cooked in crab meat sauce - at the Chang Hong Lang restaurant

Delectable seafood for hot pot at the Faigo Hot Pot Restaurant. Thin slices of meat or pork and lots of different veggies can also be added to the hotpot (see below)

Snails stewed in soy sauce with sliced green onions - at the street food market in Chongqing China

Black gelatine - at the street food market - Chongqing China

Ma po tofu from Din Tai Fung

Classic ha kaw (shrimp dumpling) from Din Tai Fung

Stir fried kailan veggie in garlic at Din Tai Fung

Famous Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao - one of Shanghai's original so this one is a must-try

Deep fried pork

Classic Chinese pork soup in herbs and spices

Heading out to Wuhan, the centre of Hubei cuisine in China. Wuhan is actually the most populous city in Central China. Perhaps the development of the city had brought people in or maybe perhaps I wonder it is the enticement of eating something new, spicy and not so traditional.

Shrimp in mayo

Crab, glorious crab - slow down though

I don't know if the fish is saying hello or don't eat me! - steamed fish in light soy sauce

Crab legs meat with veggies

This collection of photos was from a place called Chongqing, one of the largest municipality in Southwest China. They are famous for their hot pot - from the most common thin sliced pork to the bizarre pork tongue...don't imagine and just dig and eat...

This is the main hot pot soup where it is served under a hot plate or burning stove - can choose either spicy or 'normal'

From the unusual veggie to common ones

Pork tongue...hmmmm.....

Pig intestines

Pig stomach lining

Thin tofu slices



Shrimp - baby ones -

Heading back to Shanghai before my final departure, I cannot simply resist to try more Shanghai food.

Happy eating! (and keep safe, always!)