August '08 in Manila

Me enjoying my dessert in Ozeano, the fusion buffet resto in Manila Ocean Park, not knowing that the only chef in my family is serving a free buffet lunch in their school nearby. More Ozeano pics here.


This month I was able to spend 4 days in the Philippine capital Manila. And in so short a time, I was able to use the newest airport terminal in the country, go to the spa twice, see Lea Salonga, Batman, and Mamma Mia!, and meet 6 of my friends. Che, one of the Lucky 6, is leaving the country for Dubai next month. I wish you all the best there, Che!

A couple of these friend meetings have been posted on the web.

Ebe, my roommate in UPD (the very same school where the Eraserheads studied!), posted in his blog about our dinner with Bob (collegemate and roommate) and Berns (boarding housemate, she works in Star Cinema with my ex-tutee!) in TGIF in Trinoma.

The other group (more like a pair) I met is Alfred and Gretel, my Davao travel mates. We visited the Manila Ocean Park. Gretel posted a series of pics in her Multiply account. Here's a few more selection:

This is our troika in front of an aquarium. More fish swimming here.

Fresh from Cebu! More fresh fishes here.

Jegs & Jose Alfredo


Thanks to all my friends for making time out to meet me...Till the next vacay!

Beijing in A Week (Day 7)

Day 7

Morning

Have a tour at the Baiyunguan Taoist Temple for 1 to 2 hours.

Baiyunguan Taoist Temple Address: East Side of Baiyun Road, Outside Fuxingmen, Xicheng District

Take Bus 47 at the bus stop 50 meters east to Baiyunqiao to Gangwashi, and walk 300 meters to the north.

Lunch

Have lunch at Shaguoju Restaurant (a Chinese time-honored restaurant).

Shaguoju Address: No. 60, Xisi South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Walk 200 meters to the north to Xi'anmen Street, turn east for 450 meters and turn north at the first corner.

Afternoon

Have a tour at the Xishiku Catholic Church for 0.5 to 1 hour.

Xishiku Catholic Church Address: No. 33, Xishiku Main Street, Xicheng District, Beijing City

Go west for 450 meters, turn north at Xisi South Street for 150 meters to Fuchengmen Inner Street, and walk to the west for 800 meters.

Have a tour at the White Tower Temple (Buddhism) for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Miaoying Temple (White Tower Temple) Address: Road North of Inner Fuchengmen Avenue

Take Bus 102, 105, or 603 to Ganshiqiao, and walk 50 meters to the south. Bus Traffic time: 15 mins. Or Take a taxi to Yuxin Sichuan Food Restaurant.

Dinner

Have dinner at Yuxin Sichuan Food Restaurant.

Yu Xin Sichuan Dish Address: Floor 7, Xidan Scitech Shopping Center, No. 111, Xidan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Walk to the south.

Night

Go shopping at Xidan Commercial Street.

Beijing in A Week (Day 7)

Day 7

Morning

Have a tour at the Baiyunguan Taoist Temple for 1 to 2 hours.

Baiyunguan Taoist Temple Address: East Side of Baiyun Road, Outside Fuxingmen, Xicheng District

Take Bus 47 at the bus stop 50 meters east to Baiyunqiao to Gangwashi, and walk 300 meters to the north.

Lunch

Have lunch at Shaguoju Restaurant (a Chinese time-honored restaurant).

Shaguoju Address: No. 60, Xisi South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Walk 200 meters to the north to Xi'anmen Street, turn east for 450 meters and turn north at the first corner.

Afternoon

Have a tour at the Xishiku Catholic Church for 0.5 to 1 hour.

Xishiku Catholic Church Address: No. 33, Xishiku Main Street, Xicheng District, Beijing City

Go west for 450 meters, turn north at Xisi South Street for 150 meters to Fuchengmen Inner Street, and walk to the west for 800 meters.

Have a tour at the White Tower Temple (Buddhism) for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Miaoying Temple (White Tower Temple) Address: Road North of Inner Fuchengmen Avenue

Take Bus 102, 105, or 603 to Ganshiqiao, and walk 50 meters to the south. Bus Traffic time: 15 mins. Or Take a taxi to Yuxin Sichuan Food Restaurant.

Dinner

Have dinner at Yuxin Sichuan Food Restaurant.

Yu Xin Sichuan Dish Address: Floor 7, Xidan Scitech Shopping Center, No. 111, Xidan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Walk to the south.

Night

Go shopping at Xidan Commercial Street.

Beijing in A Week (Day 6)

Day 6

Morning

Have a tour at Prince Gong's Mansion for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Prince Gong's Palace Address: No.14, Liuyin Street, Xicheng District

Get out of the Prince Gong's Mansion and walk along Liuyin Street to the north to Lijia Restaurant. Or Walk along Shichahai to the north to Kongyiji Restaurant (zhejiang cuisine). Or Continue going toward north to Jiumen Snack Restaurant).

Lunch

Have dinner at Lijia Restaurant(or Kongyiji Restaurant, or Jiumen Snack Restaurant).

Lijia Cookshop Address: No. 11 Yangfang Alley Denei Avenue Xicheng District

Afternoon

Have a Beijing Hutong tour for 1 to 3 hours.

Hutong

Take Bus 60 at Di'anmen, take a transfer at Fahuasi to Bus 34 and take off at Panjiayuanqiaoxi. Traffic time: about 1 hour Or Take a taxi from Di'anmen to Panjiayuan Second-hand Goods Market. Traffic time: about 25 mins

Have a tour at Panjiayuan Second-hand Goods Market for 1 to 2 hours.

Panjiayuan Second-Hand Market Address: No.18, Huaweili, Panjiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Walk 900 meters to the north and turn east at Jinsongqiao for further 100 meters.

Dinner

Have dinner at Shuguoyanyi Restaurant.

Shuguoyanyi Restaurant Address: The 2nd and 3rd Floor of Jinsong Plaza Side of Jinsongqiao No. 117 Nongguangli Chaoyang District Beijing