Send us your photos and we’ll post it.

Not just your photos, but send in your your stories as well to ( erwin dot oliva at gmail dot com). We will pick the top stories to post in this blog. So if you have a compelling story to share, do so, and let every Pinoy read it.

Happy holidays!!!

Tea in Taiwan (and why they called it 101)

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — We had tea in Taipei. It was perhaps the most exotic tea I’ve tasted so far. Unlike the fastfood version, tea in Taipei’s Mao Kong mountains had to be prepared carefully. It was the traditional way of making tea, they said. But the wait was worth it. The traditional tea house in Mao Kong was a treat. We sat on the floor, and we had a good view of Taipei and the 101 (I’ll get to that in a while). Before we got there, we received a one-page “introduction to tea.” It contained the different classifications of tea, how-to’s and all other tips in brewing tea. The procedure was simple to follow. But it was more fun watching them do it, hehe.Anyway, our day in Taipei started with a several cups of traditional tea (and green tea candies). It was a relaxing afternoon that allowed us to slow down a bit after a day of traveling.

Here’s the video of Taipei 101.

bangkok baby, yeah!

First time ko lang mag-post ng pictures dito. Si Erwin kasi puro litrato ng kung anu-ano pinaglalagay. pati ako na naka-Chinese costume sinama pa. (Pero astig yun pare, sinave ko nga eh.)

Anyway, this is a shot taken way back years ago. As you can see, Erwin was so excited about having a taste of pad thai in Khao San Road, inakbayan na nya yun ale na nagbebenta (kamay nya yun, di yun kay Noel). Si Alex pogi ba yun sumisilip?

It was one of the most memorable foreign trips I’ve been to so far. Jing and I extended our stay and got to explore Bangkok for a few days more on our own.

While I have yet to see a lot more places, Bangkok stands out as one city I will always want to come back to. It’s cheap, it’s dirty and has a lot of character. Not to mention pretty (and friendly) Thai women who smile sweetly at you even if they cannot understand what the hell you are talking about.

woodcarving of galloping horses

horses woodcarving

Originally uploaded by cyberbaguioboy.

What makes the Jumbo Floating Restaurant in Manila bay beautiful are the detailed artwork that you'll find there. This was one of them–woodcarving of horses in a gallop. You'll find this in one of the meeting rooms.

more sunset shots at Manila Bay

more sunset shots

Originally uploaded by cyberbaguioboy.

another shot of the Manila sunset at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. By the way, for so long I thought that there existed a Casino inside this place. But when we went there, the people there said there was none. Hmmmm…this place has created so much controversy several years ago because it was rumored to be owned by Stanley Ho.

nice traditional Chinese chair

nice chairs

Originally uploaded by cyberbaguioboy.

the Floating Restaurant featured authentic Chinese furnitures, art, and sets. Everything was beautiful. I wish I can go back there. The food was also heavenly. I think you sit on this chair while a servant cleans your shoes (note the foot rest).

put on a happy face

put on a happy face

Originally uploaded by cyberbaguioboy.

the happy buddha greets visitors at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

inside the jumbo floating restaurant

inside the jumbo floating restaurant

Originally uploaded by cyberbaguioboy.

taking a break from a long day’s hard work. This is actually what the Jumbo Floating Restaurant looks like inside. Remember this is a “parked” ship. Nice, noh?

It was negative 10 degrees in the Vodka room

It was negative 10 degrees in the Vodka room

Originally uploaded by cyberbaguioboy.

Yes it was cold and you have to drink a Vodka, a flavored one. These are two of my colleagues trying out the Vodka room.

sunset at jumbo floating restaurant

sunset at jumbo floating restaurant

Originally uploaded by cyberbaguioboy.

A nice shot of the sunset at Manila Bay with the Jumbo Floating Restaurant in the foreground. The restaurant is actually a “parked” ship transformed into a restaurant. It features a Vodka room, a special room with temperature set at negative 10 degrees. They say drinking Vodka at that temperature is just plain heaven.