Tokyo Tokyo Finally Invades Davao

I love Japanese food. Yes, I do, I really do! In fact, I would crave for Sushi, Sashimi and California Maki whenever I'm stressed. But usually here in Davao, Japanese restaurants are too expensive. But, I shouldn't worry about it now because Tokyo Tokyo, the country's number one Japanese fast food chain is now here in Davao!

The KK Diaries: Epilogue

It has been more than a month since my first out-of-the-country trip. It was definitely one of my best trips to date. How I wish I could stay in Kota Kinabalu for a month or two! I booked my AirAsia flight 11 months prior the flight and paid only a total of Php 2,000 for the whole trip, special thanks to promo fares.

I did not really expect that I'd really enjoy my Kota Kinabalu trip!

Giveaway: Serendipic Photo Contest

According to dictionary.com, serendipity is defined as an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. Well, everyone of us has its own share of serendipitous moments. And some of us are lucky enough to capture it.

Fiesta Dabaw Native Restaurant

And for the final leg of the Sooo Pinoy Davao Food Trip, we went to the food court of Gaisano Mall of Davao and ate at Fiesta Dabaw, a native restaurant that serves native Filipino delicacies.

Tuna Overload at Yellow Fin

Yellow Fin has been around Davao for a long time. I do remember eating their when I was still young. This restaurant serves delicious Filipino cuisine. And for our second to the last stop of the Sooo Pinoy Davao Food Trip leg, we visited their Quimpo Boulevard branch and tried some of the local dishes.

Chippens: Delicious Buffet at the Heart of Davao

Try their Buko Pandan!

After searching some valuable crafts of Mindanao at Aldevinco Shopping Center, satisfy your enormous appetite at Chippens Buffet Restaurant. Chippens is located at Roxas Avenue and it is only a few meters walk from Aldevinco Shopping Center. The restaurant is known for its buffet that offers a variety of dishes from appetizers to main courses and mouth-watering desserts.

Penong's: Barbecues, Unlimited Rice, and Etc.

When in Davao, you will notice that there are lots of barbecue restaurants within the city. I think Davaoeños really love everything that is charcoal grilled. But in Penong's, it's more than chicken and pork barbecues and unlimited rice!

SM Lanang Premier: Davao's Newest Shopping Destination

I am proud to say that I am born and raised here in the City of Davao, a city where peace and harmony exist amidst the developments of the city. Davao City may be a very big metropolis in terms of land area, but one wouldn't feel that it's really big. To answer that minor predicament, SM Prime decided to put up its second SM Mall in Davao, catering the needs and wants of every Davaoeños.

Now, it's about time to bring all those good things here in Davao!

The KK Diaries: Chased by Wild Monitor Lizards

Day 5, Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Dear Diary,

The last day of my first international vacation. Half past one in the morning, while Brenna and I were watching a gruesome episode of Locked Down, a white man about the same height as me but ten shades fairer entered the lounge. His name was Diego and came all the way from Switzerland. Wow, just... WOW. He just arrived at KK from Sarawak (or was it Sandakan). He was nice and even showed us some photos of orangutans and proboscis monkeys.

Rock Monitor Lizard (Varanus albigularis)

The following morning, Brenna had to leave at around 11 in the morning to catch up her flight back to the Philippines. She wanted to stay longer, but she had no choice. It was also Yancy's birthday and we planned to try parasailing at Manukan Island. It costs around Rm. 70 (~Php 1500) - cheaper compared to Philippines. But lo' and behold! When we arrived at the port, we weren't allowed to ride one due to bad weather. Lord Jeesaaas!

Apparently, a more exciting thing happened to us when we explored Sapi Island.

Harana: Davao's Best Homegrown Restaurant

Kare-Kare with Bagoong - a classic Filipino dish!

Harana would surely ring a bell to Davaoeños, whether the old or the new generation. Harana has been part of every Davaoeño's lives. It is famous for its delicious Mongolian Barbecues, mouthwatering Filipino dishes such as Kare-kare and Binagoongang Baboy. When I was younger, this restaurant is always the number one recommended place for parties, conventions and receptions. Well, until today it continues to become the most sought restaurant in Davao.

For the Love of Chicken and Pizza

Fried Chicken has been my comfort food since I was little. It brings me joy and happiness whenever I take a bite of it. I wouldn't mind eating chicken as my viand for breakfast, lunch and dinner for several days. Mom would hate that though. I guess my love for fried chicken will last for a lifetime. Frankly speaking, as of this writing, I am craving for one again!

Don Juan y Kookel's

And for the last restaurant of our second to the last day of Sooo Pinoy Davao Food Trip, we drove all the way south to try various Filipino dishes at Kookel's in Bangkal. We surely had a lot of surprises when we entered the Don Juan Lounge.

Pansit Madness at Pansititoy

And the Sooo Pinoy Davao Food Trip continues. For merienda, the team went to Ecoland to try out this local restaurant aptly named Pansititoy. From the restaurant's name itself, they serve different kinds of noodles and as well as Batchoy and the all-time favorite of Pinoys, Crispy Pata.

The Visayan Trail

Traveling around the Philippines is indeed challenging. One reason for it is the country's geography. Unlike its Asian neighbors, where provinces and countries are only divided by an imaginary line that we fondly call borders, most provinces in the Philippines are divided by rough seas, stretching beyond what your mind can imagine.

It's quite easy to navigate by land when you are in Luzon and Mindanao. But in Visayas, it's a different story - it is a combination of land, air and sea. Despite the geographical challenge, Visayas is the most diverse island group of the country. The three regions - Western, Central and Eastern Visayas (Region VI, VII and VIII respectively) - have their own share of language, culture and heritage and a myriad of adventures.

The KK Diaries: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Day 4 - Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Finally, now on our fourth day, diary!

It was a fine, sunny morning when the Sensi Hostel Team (composed of yours truly, Brenna, Yancy, Cho and the two Spanish duos - Jaime and Alberto) walked all the way to the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. We planned to visit three out of five islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park namely Mamutik, Manukan and Sapi.

My Kota Kinabalu experience would not be complete if I totally miss this marine park!

Tales of the Tiny Kitchen

The first time I visited The Rodriguez's Tiny Kitchen last February 2012, it was really tiny. I was a bit surprise when they finally moved to a bigger place near Holiday Spa along F. Torres Street. Well, their new place is not-so tiny anymore as it can accommodate more people. Despite the change, their food has never been different - sumptuous and every penny and calorie is all worth it.

The KK Diaries: UMS and KK's Beautiful Sunset

Still on Day 3, diary. Don't worry, this is the last part.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

One of USM's main buildings.

We swear that we took the right bus and read the instructions on how-to-get-your-ass-at-Aquamarine-museum posted at Sabah's Tourism website thrice before exploring the upper district of Kota Kinabalu. I did not know what happened, but we seemed to have difficulties in locating the Aquamarine Museum. We climb numerous flights of stairs, entered this museum-like building (only to find out that it was the University Chancellor's building... wow sosyal building talaga!), only to find out that the museum was closed on Sundays.

It sucked big time. But hey, we just looked on the brighter side (excuses... excuses...)!

Moody Blues

Summer sun is the best cure for the blues, so it’s little wonder that most of us are feeling a little under the weather at times.

It would be wonderful if we could open our doors and push the children out into a garden full of sunshine and be sure that when we book our UK holiday that we can spend it on the beach. But like most of us are finding out this year, mother nature doesn’t do well at co-operation and you can bet your bottom dollar that if you plan a day at the seaside, she will rock up with a big bag of rain drops to put a dampner on it.

So naturally, the easy solution is to find an affordable break abroad - whether you choose to go down the package route and, for instance, book Thomas Cook holidays, or organise your own flights and accommodation. Whichever you choose, it’s a precious chance to escape to somewhere that is sunny and relaxing, where dear old M.N is too busy building sandcastles and soaking up the rays to bother with big black clouds.

The thought of a summer holiday goes a short way to lifting one’s spirits, and the process of booking is pure therapy. In order to get your full quota it’s important that the location can fit in with as much as possible on your holiday wish list. It’s not too late to book holidays for this year but as most people have already allocated their holiday budget, now’s the time to look ahead to next year’s sun. Why not consider Tunisia holidays, 2013? Or a trip to ancient Egypt? Or an exotic adventure in the Caribbean?

Book now and enjoy that delicious smug feeling during this year’s rainy season, knowing that you will once again see sunshine. These are all fantastic destinations, guaranteeing you warm sunshine, sandy beaches and culture by the suitcase full, leaving you a newly restored and fully revitalised human. What could be more heart warming?

The KK Diaries: The City Mosque

Day 3 - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Still on the third day.

I rarely see mosques, the Muslim's place of worship here in the Philippines. Actually, I have seen one or two in my life but it wasn't really that grand. My hometown, Davao City, despite being the largest and the regional center of Mindanao is dominated by Christians. Only a small portion of the island is dominated by Islam (see also: Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao).

Part of our itinerary was to visit the City Mosque of Kota Kinabalu. A quick bus trip from Wawasan terminal to the Likas District soon had me riding the highways of the city (which by the way offer a scenic view of the West Philippine Sea). I am not a religious person but I do appreciate the architecture of churches and other places of worship. And like any other first time tourists, I got stunned by its grandeur, diary.

Beautiful is actually an understatement.