Life As I See It

Our package didn’t include breakfast at the hotel so we had to get our breakfast outside. I suggested we go find some dim-sum and meehoon as I was craving already for my weekly dose of Wan Wan mee soup (down in Bundusan road. It’s the best, everyone should try it). It was early, 8.30 am and Manuel said he’d take us to a ‘good’ Chinese restaurant. It was a few blocks away from the hotel and we were the first customers of the morning. I wasn’t really impressed with the shabby shop that had a foul rat piss smell outside the establishment. But as the food arrived, the aroma of fresh dim sum and wanton soup overpowered the rat piss smell and all the other street smells, so we rejoiced in the delicious food. The food was wonderful, they must have a good cook as it tasted ngam – ngam. We ate a mighty breakfast to prepare for our city tour and half- day ‘mall’- ing exploration.

It was a breezy, sunny morning and Manuel was in high spirits that day. He became very talkative and spoke endlessly of Manila’s political history as he drove us to our first spot, Rizal Park.The park was the site of Dr Jose Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896, whose martyred death made him a hero of the Philippine Revolution. It was officially renamed Rizal Park in tribute to him. The monument also serves as the point of origin or Kilometre Zero to all other cities in the Philippines. It is a beautiful, lush and green park and we spent about 25 minutes there, reading the plaques on some monuments and took pictures. It would have been a beautiful location for wedding photography or a picnic if there weren’t many (annoying) mobile vendors who tried to sell you everything, from hankies, pearls, watches to toy stuffs. They have to make a living, I know, but at a historical site that was supposed to be ‘sacred’ for them, it wasn’t appropriate at all.

15 minutes into exploring the park, Dad was already beat. We proceeded to Fort Santiago after that where we got on a horse carriage and was guided around the small, Spaniard park by a proud Filipino guide who said he loved Estrada the best. We spent some pesos in the souvenir shop where I got some fridge magnet for my sister who started having this penchant for them. I was in love with the pretty jewelry wallets made of banana fibres. The fibre makes beautiful material for dresses and shirts especially the ones that a groom wears.But they looked too delicate and they’d only add to my ever burgeoning collection of bags so I managed to fight the urge to buy. So I just walked around, luksy –luksying then a guy at the counter asked if I was Korean or Chinese and proudly said “I’m Malaysian”. He looked at me and timidly said, “You’re pretty….magandang”. ..Make me shy only.. **blush**

We arrived at the Las Palmas hotel, checked in and rested for half an hour before setting out for dinner.
Las Palmas had a pretty nice lobby, with large crescent shaped sofas sitting in it. There was a pretty little bar and restaurant at a corner and the sweet Filipino receptionists who gave us a swift check-in, addressing us with ‘madam’ and ’sir’ throughout (Although ma’am is pronounced as ‘mom’ here). If you ever set foot in Manila, you’ll notice this everywhere especially at malls. I was impressed with this simple gesture. However, with the hotel having been established in the 1980s, I had a pre-empt idea of what the rooms would look like. I wasn’t wrong. The 80’s designed room looked not much different from what you get in our place and it had the old-carpet and moldy smell throughout the floor which I hated, but had to get used to.Well, you get what you pay for right? So..I just shut up and didn’t complain. My parents didn’t either so we were really relieved. Anyway, I loved the fact that this little hotel fits its room with mini bars (full of beer, vodka, chocolates, keropok etc ) and bathtubs, which is vital for every weary traveller at the end of the day.

Before our trip, I made our own version of itinerary which included haggling at night markets (There’s Bacalaran, Quiapo and Divisoria). Manuel kept giving us the impression that the night markets had nothing much,"is nat gud quality ober der" he says, but I insisted that we go check it out after dinner.

On our way to the hotel earlier, we spotted some small restaurant and shops with whole pigs roasting gloriously on fist-sized poles. Everyone was suddenly in-mood especially Sam, the carnivorous one. They’re called Lechon Babuy ( roasted pork) and man, they looked picture perfect! We wanted to have it on our first night in Manila.

Looking at our excitement, Manuel suggested we go the best authentic Filipino restaurant in Baclaran. I knew that Baclaran has a night market that stretches a few blocks, (thanks to Yahoo! Answers) so it was a perfect plan.

The Lechon at Lydia’s was nice! I discovered that Lechon is basically pork roasted with keeping the skin slightly burnt, giving you a thin, crispy munch on the outside while the flesh is tender and juicy on the inside. Sedap bah! (But honestly, Char-Siu and Saw-Nyuk undefeated lah). There were some version of the Filipino sambal to go with it, but I was too busy eating to remember their names. We also ordered side dishes, all of which had unique tastes. Dad savored the meal as I caught him ditching the fork & spoon and worked the Lechon with his fingers. Sam, like me, loved the kulit so much and asked if they served the kulit babi only. Disappointingly, they didn’t. I have to admit that the side dishes weren’t really great, as it seemed to be lacking some flavors or oomph for my tastebuds. But the Lechon Babuy was a pretty good treat welcoming us to the Philippines.

Later we spent about 3 hours walking along the Baclaran night market, which didn’t look very much different from our Pasar Malam at Kg. Air except for the rubbish strewn all over the street, very little lightings and the sight of little children sleeping half-naked at the bus stands and corners. We actually saw this sight all around the Mabini street, where we stayed. Bikin kesian betul..

They sold almost everything at Baclaran; clothing, bags, footwear, bootleg CDs, DVDs, fruits.. all for a bargain price!

Here’s a list of what I bought;
Beyonce Deluxe Edition DVD (with boxed casing) – PHP 50
2 pcs of work blouse – PHP 300 (after skillful haggling)
2 pcs of Made in Philippines Beadwork sandals ( it was of quite impressive quality and handwork) – PHP 280
……………………………………………………….
so, all in all, I spent less than RM 50 on the first night for all the above. Impressive innit??

I was really thrilled!

Discovering Manila Pt. I

Just last Thursday (August 16th), my parents, Sam and I returned from a week-long holiday in Metro Manila, Philippines. Well, I wouldn’t really call it ‘holiday’ per se but, it WAS a good retreat, nice getaway for all of us. The trip was, in actual fact planned as a backpacking escapade of Sam and me. It was supposed to be our first-ever unguided, adventure-seeking holiday. But when news got around Mum and Dad, who were rejoicing their first few months of retirement, they initiated interest of going with us.
We were excited to have company, but it meant a total change of plan. We ditched the backpacking idea and scoured all travel agents in KK for a decent, aptly-priced tour package that wouldn’t blow our budget- minding pockets. We found one that charged us RM840 per pax, for a five night accommodation and a driver, guide and a car at our disposal. We figured it was the best (economical) option but were worried if it didn’t, at least be at par with Mum & Dad’s recent Shanghai holiday where they checked in and out of cozy, marble-floored hotels around China. Sam worried the most, as he normally would for their hospitality. He had endless ‘what-ifs’ and agonized every detail of the forthcoming holiday. I assured him that I know my parents aren’t fussy ones, but was careful to advise them that, according to reliable sources, Metro Manila doesn’t have much for the eye to see. I’m glad I did.

The flight to Clark was smooth. I felt guilty for forgetting to bring everyone together for a group prayer before flying off. My sister sent sms-es and reminded me a few days before to do so. Right before the plane took off, I said a quiet prayer asking God to bless everyone in the plane and send his guardian angels to fly with us.

We landed safely, but Sam and I lamented how we couldn’t get a minute of sleep onboard. There were 3 or more (loud) aunties sitting behind us, who seemed to have something to say of every single thing they saw on the AirAsia brochure; from the safety instructions to how pricey the Milo is and how his brother’s son – in- law went on a plane with Manchester United’s logo on it. I couldn’t gather the other things they were talking about as they babbled on in thick Kadazan. I refused to let that destroy my mood so I read on ‘Three sixty degrees’, AirAsia’s in-flight magazine in between long trips to the loo. I always liked planes washrooms.

The Clark Airport or Diosdado Macapagal Terminal wasn’t more than a single storey, no-frills airport. I suspected the name had something to do with Gloria Arroyo.
I definitely didn’t get the same awed impression as I did when we landed in the new Thailand airport last December. We made our way to the arrival hall, looking for a placard with our names on it. I was nervous when I couldn’t locate our names. Then suddenly I saw a dark-skinned man in red holding up a placard with “Simon Chan” on it. I chuckled and pointed it out to Sam. I quickly walked up and greeted him with a warm but frazzled smile, “Hi! I’m Lisa..I think that’s supposed to be Simon Chia, right? Are you expecting a 4-person group from KK?”.
He shook my hands, smiled half-heartedly and for his welcome just said, “Manuel”.
Right.

We cheered when we found that our car was a Toyota SUV that looked Unser-ish.
Cool.
It turned out that Manuel was our guide cum driver. In other places there would be one driver and a guide. Maybe that’s what you’d get for a budget package. Anyway, I was hoping that he wasn’t that strange and cold like he seemed earlier . Guides are supposed to be cheerful and warm aren’t they?

The Pinoys drive on the left side of the vehicle, one of the American influences we noticed. It was a pretty long drive to get to Manila. It was 4.30 pm when we landed and Manuel estimated that we would arrive at the hotel just before 7 pm.  We drove across acres of bare, abandoned lands that were once sugar-cane plantations. Hundreds of acres of paddy fields that were flooded by the rain and typhoon season looked like a sea of Milo. According to Manuel, It was a normal sight every year when the typhoon hits. We hoped things were okay in the city.

I was reading a back edition of a July 2001 Marie Claire magazine that I kept as one of my treasured collection here, at where I really call home in serene, laid-back Tambunan, when the electricity suddenly tripped.

It disrupted half the ideal of a perfect morning; lounge at our patio and read my copy of Oprah magazine, smooth CD playing at the background, the cool morning breeze seeping through my lazy bones while having a hot mug of coffee in hand.

I was mildly annoyed.

My brother assured me it would come back in a while, but the sudden hush prompted me to do something else. I thought I should get started with that blogging I’ve always wanted to do.

It’s nearing the end of my 2-week break from work and the hectic-ness of KK. . After the nice, little trip to Manila

Philippines

with my fiance and parents, I had another week to truly unwind and Balik kampung.

Since I arrived, It had been raining showers every mid-afternoon in Tambunan. A soft, cool breeze comes with it, giving u a perfect time to cat nap. Then, a little before 4 pm, the sun peeks out again and I caught glimpses of rainbow and fluttering birds looking for a new tree to play at. Blissful.

It has been a truly invigorating and reviving break this one, as I catch myself eager to get back to work.. It’s rather strange as I used to dread getting back to work after holidays. It always gave me that bleak feeling that I haven’t got enough. But it’s different this time around. It’s largely because I managed to do some things I’ve always wanted to do;

Spend quality time with mummy. Check

Learn a new recipe. Check.

Read a novel. Check.

Learn a new software. Check.

Get a haircut. Check.

Play The Sims on PS2 without worrying about anything. Check.

Sleep early and rise late. Double check.

I think, when one has had ample amount of rest and relaxation, the mind and physique gets wind-up back again, re-formatted, putting you in the mode of eagerness to brace the routine that used to wear you down. . . I am all ready to embrace reality.