Buhay Bahay-Bahayan

I’ve always had itchy feet.

And it’s not alipunga.

When I was young, I spent every summer vacation with my cousins in Manila, Alabang, Batangas, and Cebu. When I grew up, I wanted to see more.

Among the few places I’ve been to, Tagaytay gets the number 1 slot. I discovered Tagaytay because of my wife, who acted as my tour guide when we were dating. She’s been there a number of times. And somewhere along the frequent drive to Tagaytay, we fell in love (asus!). Tagaytay played such a significant part in our relationship that when it was time to tie the knot, Tagaytay was the only option. And because we’ve pretty much explored the area, we picked the best place in Tagaytay to get married, Tagaytay Highlands.

My second favorite place would have to be Hong Kong. First, because our flight to Hong Kong was my first ever plane ride. So imagine my excitement. I was giddy. There were butterflies in my stomach. I don’t know whether I should pee or poop, or both! Syempre, it was also my first time to travel internationally. My dad traveled a lot before he retired. And he would always tell me stories about airplanes, airports, and the different cities and hotels he’s been to. This time, it’s my turn to experience those things. I was trying to remember everything so that I could tell him about my travel.

Since my wife and I were still dating that time, that travel in a foreign land with no one to turn to but ourselves, with the good and the bad, the adventures and the misadventures, all the more tightened our bond.

My third favorite place would have to be Boracay. We stayed at this little gem called Boracay Tropics. The staff was friendly and courteous. The service was superb. The breakfast buffet, although not as impressive, was quite awesome on its own. And because most of the foreign guests would rather sunbathe in the nearby beach, we almost always had the pool all to ourselves when it gets too hot in the beach. Plus, it was our honeymoon.

(Photo Source)

I’d like to end this with a shortlist of our future travel destinations. First would be to go on a European trip. If you want to now why, visit Kumareng Grace’s site and search for detailed posts about her own European trip experience, and you’d want to have that too. Second would be Israel. Our church arranges group travels to Israel once or twice a year, and we’ve decided to join them in maybe two years. On my third would be Palawan. Considering the cheap flights and budget-friendly accommodations available, I think we’d visit this paradise in no time at all.

This is my entry for Kumareng Grace’s post-birthday (for her birthday last September), pre-Christmas, and pre-2-year anniversary in blogging (in January) contest. Visit her site for contest details and to see the awesome prices.

(Photo Source)

I should have written this around three years ago, which was when I was obsessed with panna cotta.

I first tasted this Italian custard dessert in a now defunct restaurant in Greenbelt 3 called Cascada that my wife and I used to frequent. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know about my love affair with seafood, especially crabs and prawns, and how I hate beef. Anyway, it was another night of Prawns Termidor, and my wife and I decided to try this resto’s desserts in lieu of heading down to Cafe Breton (our favorite creperie after all these years). That’s when I first tasted a panna cotta, a buko pandan panna cotta to be exact. This milky goodness was sweet, rich and velvety, with the  hint of pandan and buko. I could have this on my deathbed. Thus, my search for the best panna cotta began.

I’d order one whenever the restaurant we’re in have it on their menu. One time, we even drove all the way to Tagaytay because a restaurant claimed it has the best, only to find out that they ran out when we got there.

But I did find it. It was in Restaurant Verbena, Discovery Country Suites.

At only Php 220 for this fantastic trio topped with saffron and caramel oranges, strawberries, and lemon balm and pistachios, the serving is big enough for sharing.

And it’s perfectly normal (for me at least) to drive more than an hour and order this. Add a cappuccino or latte, or maybe tea, and you’re all set. Enjoy it by their enclosed veranda with the cool Tagaytay breeze gently coming in.

Of course if you can’t or doesn’t have the time to drive to Tagaytay, you can always make one at home. They have the recipe online. Click here.

Magandang Huwebes muli mga ka-litratista! Oras na naman para sa Litratong Pinoy.

Sobrang nahirapan ako sa temang “lahat ay payak.” Tinanong ko pa nga si misis kung ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng payak. Ang ibig sabihin daw ng payak ay simple, madali, natural, o ordinaryo. Kung ganun heto ang aking mga lahok. Ang unang litrato ay naglalaman ng mga paborito kong pagkain tuwing almusal. Kuha ko ito noong umaga ng aking kaarawan noong nakaraang taon. Mga simple o payak na pagkain na i-prinito lamang: itlog, isda, at bacon. Dagdagan pa ng mainit na kanin, at suka na may bawang, asin at paminta para sa sawsawan, eh talo-talo na. Siguradong mapapalaban ka.

Isa siguro sa mga payak ngunit masarap gawin ay ang magpahinga sa hardin, lalo na kung mainit ang panahon. Isang mahabang upuan lamang sa ilalim ng mga puno at halaman at masaya na ako. Pwedeng magbasa, magpahinga at matulog.

Ito ang aking mga lahok para sa linggong ito ng Litratong Pinoy na may tema na Lahat ay payak. Tayo na at tignan ang iba pang mga lahok ng mga partisipante dito.