Updating.
photo: edelweiza.com
When we went to Cebu, we wanted to experience local life and local food. We were there for only a few days so to experience local life would not be possible but local food is doable. So I did a little bit of research and I learned about Larsian.
Larsian is a barbeque or grill place the locals always head to when craving for ihaw-ihaw. There would be grilled chicken of different parts including breast, leg, wings and even liver and intestines. So after we went to hear mass in the Basilica of Sto. Niño of Cebu (or Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) we headed to Larsian branch closest to where we were and it was in Fuente Osmeña Circle.
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Last week we went to Cebu and was searching for a place to stay at. We only have a fairly minimum requirement, that the place be clean, have the basic amenities and a reasonable cost. Just a clean room with clean bathroom. Even TV we can negotiate if the place doesn’t have it. We don’t need extravagant furnitures as we were only going to sleep there. Just a simple place that’s reasonably priced.
Photo: from their website
I tried to do some research online and you know how unreliable those photo galleries are in their website and about how they look so far from reality? Well, I knew it would be a risk we had to take as I didn’t even find a reliable review about this hotel. I only know that it’s close to the ports/piers and to SM as I viewed it on google maps.
So we were pleasantly surprised that the place is a little bit more than we hoped for. (Well, we, specially I have a very very low expectation based on the price they quoted us per room and per night.) First, they have a decent reception, bigger than I’m expecting to see. Fairly relaxed and simple lobby. They don’t have a software like Hotel Information System or Fidelio but it’s fine as they only have a few rooms.
When we saw the room I can say that we were pleased. We stayed at their Standard Room with twin beds Php 1180/night for 2 pax with one pillow in each bed, with breakfast for 2 pax.
Roti Prata. After all the suspense in waiting to have you, you’re not as good as I thought you would be. Blame it on this curry sauce, bland and watery, not good.
I’ve been getting tired of Chinese food because aside from the occasional Beef Rendang (Malay food) that I’m eating, it’s mostly Char Kway Teow that I’m having when I don’t know what to have as it is my dependable yummy dish. So after countless whining to Bee about not knowing what to eat, he said he’ll bring me some place with nice Indian food he tried before with some other friends. He brought me to Mustafa, the Indian area in Singapore.
Despite my recent weight gain and my desire to cut down on food intake, a real bad case of serious craving hit me last night. I wanted pineapple fried rice and chicken satay in Chinatown. Exactly the food I used to eat often two years ago with a close friend.
So instead of heading home after some shopping (which is really tiring), I dragged Bee to go to Chinatown instead.
Then these pretty lanterns greeted us outside the MRT station.
I have always had a quest to try and taste the best. Hainanese Chicken Rice (HCR) edition this time. I have read about one particular stall that most food bloggers and even a chef cum Tv Host have agreed to this. So we headed to a particular hawker center but too bad, we came in too late. They ran out of chickens. So I will save about that for later. Bee and I just had to settle to another chicken rice stall very close to the one I am referring to. Normally I wouldn’t try a stall just because of it’s proximity but this one has a long queue too. I don’t know if that’s because people find their chicken rice as good too, or they just settle to this one because the best one is closed already.
Maxwell Hainanese Chicken Rice stall has a pretty exterior and long queues of people that’s why we got curious and decided to try it as well. They are the only stall with long queue that night.
The photos in their stall sure look appetizing.
I am a roasted HCR girl. One of the criteria for good HCR for locals is tender meat/flesh, like smooth and silky. And you can see in these photo that the meat is silky soft.
Yesterday, I had to go to Marina Bay Sands and from experience I learned that I should use the new MRT line which is the Circle Line or Yellow Line. Better to hop off in Promenade station and there is a bus stop across the road with buses that go to the hotel. There’s bus number 106 going there and there are other bus numbers but I forgot already. I don’t like walking when it’s humid, even if it’s just 10 minutes.
Yup, that’s a tip for tourists going there. Some get confused, they think Esplanade station is nearer but it is actually Promenade station with the bus to Marina Bay Sands. So alight in Promenade station the look for exit A with the 7-11 and exit there then just follow the directions.
I tried using the Red line and alight in Marina Bay station but I had a hard time finding the bus stop to Marina Bay Sands. Or maybe it’s just me. But I ended up walking for a good 12-15 minutes with some tourists who were having a hard time too. Every time it’s like that whenever I go there, some tourists and even locals will ask you directions to go there. It’s actually better now than 2-3 months ago, there are more directions now and the bus stop has the list of buses that passes through there. Before that bus stop was just a make shift one.
On my way there I saw this gorgeous tear drop looking things. I have wanted to take a photo ever since but it’s either I don’t have the camera because it’s so heavy or I am in a hurry.
Real pretty.
Whenever I’m out of Singapore I will always have severe cravings for Singaporean food like fried carrot cake, char kway teow and of course chicken rice or properly known as Hainanese Chicken Rice. I prefer the “roasted” one which isn’t really roasted heheh but the pale version will cure the craving.
I researched online and found some helpful tips and I used them in this attempt.
Has to have cucumber. Well at least that’s what I am used to.
I want to go back to Baguio. I’ve been there a couple of times but because I was with bad company, I didn’t really enjoy the place much. So I really want to go back with Mommy, Bee and Daddy.
But then come to think of it, the place I really want to go to is in La Trinidad Benguet. I want to experience strawberry picking!
Photo: pixelbug.sassymomslife.com
This are the type of things I want to experience. I want a date there than in malls. Malls are so boring already haha.
Is the time I like to have for myself. When it’s quite it is interesting to observe around you and think. Watch people walk. Cars drive by. Take pictures. I guess I really like solitude.
I just love how bright the streets are, the tall trees and clean surroundings. Really, the better version of the Philippines.
I totally need a vacation! I need to escape from all the thinking. I need to escape from myself. I’m tired and exhausted. What to do what to do? I hope there’s a legal drug to cure specific problems.
Photo: Dgrin.com
I can go somewhere to unwind but I know better. I know this is not the time to spend on vacations no matter how well deserved they may be. If I can splurge I want to Palawan– in Coron. I’ve been to Boracay many times already and even though it’s paradise I want to see another paradise in the Philippines. We are soooo lucky to have been blessed with natural wonders and it’s a pity the world is not aware of this thanks to our reputation. Noynoy Aquino hopefully can do better than the last presidents before him. Or poor Kris.
If I hit the jackpot I’d go to the Caribbean. Just to see how it fares to ours hehehe…
Also, I am the type to go to provinces. I like having a feel of the rural areas. So this Branson vacation packages would be ideal for me to try. We always hear things about LA and New York– of course I want to see them too but I like suburban areas better. Wisteria lane? Yup. Life is going to be fun if you have neighbors like them.
