Tag Archive: Travel


Around Circular Quay

Filed under: Australia, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
March 25, 2024

A stopover in Sydney demands at least one visit to the Circular Quay. Whether or not you’re riding the ferry, it’s mandatory to enjoy that view of the harbour, the bridge and the grand dame — the Sydney Opera House. Trust me, the joy of seeing this view never ever fades regardless how many times you’ve been here. Beats all Harbor views, in my book. And if all you have to do in Sydney is take ferry rides, you’d never run out of things to do. There are many spots around Sydney from where you can enjoy a view of the bridge and Opera House. Always a delight! And from the Quay, there are many walking paths — towards The Rocks, The Royal Botanical Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art ( Sydney Biennale ongoing), and Sydney Conservatorium of Music where I enjoyed a Lunch Break jazz concert.

Harbour Bridge
Lunch Break Jazz Concert

From the suburbs, I took the nearly hour’s ride to Circular Quay and on my second visit, I was delighted to encounter this mega-city of a boat called the Celebrity Edge. Many passengers starting to board for the nearly 2 week cruise to New Zealand. I was thrilled to see the boat as my friends and I have just booked a 12-night cruise in November this year. Huge! And I tried to imagine where our cabins would be. Exciting!

Celebrity Edge docked in Circular Quay
The Customs House. This is one spot I won’t miss during the Vivid Sydney season.

Meanwhile, there’s the Sydney Biennale in the Museum of Contemporary Art right around the quay. And on the other end, the Opera House, Conservatory and the Gardens. The latter offers truly blissful walks. And if you care to break the walk to enjoy some coffee and a pies or wraps, you’d easily spot a Café within the gardens.

Sydney Biennale 2024
A View of the Opera House from Cremorne Point

Easily, one can spend a whole day here without even taking a ferry ride. However, should you wish to take the ferry towards Manly, Watson’s or Mosman Bay, or just do the quick ride to Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Cremorne Point or wherever else, I’d advise you leave early enough to beat the crowds. We enjoyed our lunch in one of the restaurants in Gateway just behind the Quay Station Building, and witnessed the long lines at the wharves past noon. Enjoy!

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Eat, Pray, Love. Repeat.

Filed under: Australia, Food Trip, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
March 18, 2024

It’s nearly a week since I touched down in Sydney and there’s two more weeks to go before I join up with my travel buddies for our much-delayed, our pandemic-postponed trip to South America. Originally scheduled in 2020, our travel group has since been trimmed down to under 20 pax after all the postponements and the hassles of obtaining visas from Australia or USA and Chile. Crossing 3 time zones on this trip is a first for me. Why? Well, let me start with breaking my journey on the first leg — Manila to Sydney to Santiago, Chile. Took the chance to meet up with my folks here in Sydney before flying out to Chile. Wish I can head back here again on the return trip but hatched another plan to meet up with my elves in Venice, Italy. That means cutting short my Peru trip by a couple of days to fly to Venice via Madrid in time for the Biennale Venezia opening on April 20. Just thinking about all 3 legs of this journey and crossing several time zones give me so much excitement as well as jitters. You see, I booked a non-refundable flight from Lima to Venice just so I can claim the last seat out of Peru in time to be with my dear Nieto y Nieta (grandchildren). Also booked non-cancellable hotel nights in Venice, Italy during the Biennale opening well before hotel rates soar high or worse, when hotels get fully booked! All these while visas have yet to be issued. With fingers and toes crossed, the “Plan” is pushing through. By God’s grace, my elves got their Schengen visas and we’re good with flight and hotel bookings. All set!

The Grounds at Alexandria
Visiting my Sister & her Family Here

The first order of the day is my favorite brekkie in The Grounds of Alexandria. Still teeming with people on a Wednesday morning, still serving my fav flat white and good food but I’m not a fan of their Easter decor. Guess the kids won’t mind but this old lady was a tad disappointed. From this Wednesday’s touchdown to nearly a week after, it’s been a flurry of activities and food trips. One may say Aussie food is limited to steaks, chops and pies but I do love the coffee scene here. Besides, the city is so very culturally diverse that my folks have alternated to take me for meals at a Korean restaurant, a Japanese ramen house, along with Chinese, Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese food adventures.

Korean Dinner
Thai Dinner at Holy Basil in Canley Vale
Ramen at Makimoto in McArthur Square

It was hot when I arrived. Temps hover at 27-30 C. Of late, autumn is setting in along with showers in the afternoons or late nights. Time to clean and seal off our barbecue pits and time our laundry times to sunny days. But weekends are day trip days. My first weekend here took me to Bowral, just an hour’s drive away. Brunch was in The Press Shop, followed by check-ins at the village vintage shops. Rainy days mean ramen days as we took comfort in bowls of steaming broth and some sushi and dumplings. Grocery trips are fun especially since it’s a short walk from the house. With my family housed in 3 separate residences a few blocks from each other, my major decision each day is in whose house to dine 😉 My second home. I bet the next 2 weeks will fly by, only to be repeated later this year when I head back.

Brunch at The Press Shop in Bowral
Home Barbecues
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Something New

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January 2, 2024

Since retiring in 2001, I’ve visited a new place annually. Something new. Or rather, someplace new. Except for the pandemic year 2021, I managed to tick off a new destination. I even squeezed in a trip just before the March 2020 lockdown and 3 trips in 2022 when the world slowly eased out of the global tragedy. My ever growing bucket list now includes not just new spots but NEW EXPERIENCES too. Since I retired, my banner year was 2015 when I did my first ever Camino de Santiago de Compostela and visited such exotic spots like Myanmar, Phuket, Morocco, a Scandinavian cruise, Berlin and some areas in Spain under the tourist radar.

Since 2001. Except only 2021 because of the pandemic.
Sahara Desert. 2015.

Were there any favorite sights? The answer is YES. I have since repeated many trips if only to repeat the same experiences. Dining around Spain and Japan goes right up there at the top of the list. Doing the pilgrimage walks is an experience my travel and camino buddies won’t mind doing again and again. France — specifically Provence and Paris evoke warm and nostalgic vibes. Always a brilliant idea I’d never ever grow tired of. African safari I fortunately tried twice, both ranking among my best animal adventures. Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa. After the safaris, I vowed never to visit another zoo. Locally, my whale shark (butanding) experience I shared with my family. Just had to bring them to Sorsogon after my first time 2 months earlier. I also wish I can take them to Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Israel but the present peace situation won’t allow such. A pity.

Myanmar
First Camino. 2015.

This 2024, I will visit Machu Picchu a second time. That Incan citadel is hard to shake off one’s memory. And while there, might as well head south on that long Chilean strip all the way down to Patagonia. This is that one major trip originally scheduled — later cancelled — in 2020 before the pandemic shook the world. Off to that South American adventure via Sydney where I plan to visit family. Towards the end of the year, another trip Down Under for some Kiwi cruise experience.

An African Safari
Machu Picchu. Just once more this 2024.

Way too many in my list. First times and repeats. Earlier, I thought I should scratch off the repeats to compose a list of more visited spots. But why not? Those who gain “favorites” want to repeat, as in food adventures. After all, no 2 trips are ever the same. The experience varies according to season, company and moods. Emphasis on the moods. Visiting some places in the company of first-timers give a new dimension to the travel experience. The enthusiasm, the excitement and the “frenzy” can be quite infectious and that whiff of mirth — priceless!

Train Experience in Sri Lanka
Whale Shark Adventure off Sorsogon

Hopefully, I can tick off many more in my list. Aurora Borealis sightings? Got that listed, along with more countries in South America. I do want to do another camino, and wishing I can do so with younger members of my family. I am lucky to count many travel buddies but family trips are still the best. As for solo trips, my confidence is still there but I know such will burden my family with anxieties. So maybe I can “adjust” that by flying solo but joining an organized tour somewhere. Anything for an adventure. As they say, I don’t need therapy. Just needed to travel. 😘

Bhutan
That trip when my buddies flew home and I opted to stay around solo and extend my stay.
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Embracing 70

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December 12, 2023

Rolling into my 70s made me aware of how much leftover energy remains, and how this sense of discovery has not waned through the years. Most importantly, I’ve nurtured this gift of joy for life’s blessings and felt more “in the moment”. As in becoming “present”. There was time enough to take care of older folks, play with the young ones, visit long-lost friends, discover new places and engage in new adventures. At 70, I observed I seldom ask why lately. Long discussions I find exhausting. And some stuff are best left unsaid. Like I don’t need any explanation. 😜 Had to unlearn some disciplines like attention to details. And this is where memory lapses come in real handy! Acceptance may not come easily when you forego the details, but it’s worth trying. Trust me. It’s like paying for something and skipping counting the change. I guess this is what that bestseller book meant “not to sweat the small stuff”. For me, this mantra works.

Hello, Everyone!

I love traveling and my bucket list keeps growing longer. I do not mind revisiting the places I’ve enjoyed especially when I’ve got new company. Like when I recently traveled to Provence with my grandchildren. Or revisiting Machu Picchu with a different set of friends yet with the same brand of excitement. The eagerness to meet family in Sydney as well as my friends in USA are always good ideas. And my grandchildren will most likely drag me to spots I’ve visited more than enough but which they’d be visiting for the first time. Like the recent trip to Italy. I just hope that somewhere in our future travel plans, I can squeeze in a few new spots that interest me. Sicily, Malta, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Iceland, Poland and some parts of Croatia and neighbouring states. But then again, who cares about destinations at 70?

Nieto y Abuela

Consider yourself lucky that young people still want to travel with you. Their eagerness, enthusiasm, energy and mirth are enough to make any trip worthwhile. And there’s always something new to learn from them. In my book, embracing 70 compels one to stay healthy enough to keep pace with young travelers. To stay “cool” enough to understand that the world has changed and tolerance, humility and acceptance are key to truly harmonious relationships. Some mantras work real well. We need not react to everything. Simply put, kindness matters. No need to sweat the small stuff. At 70, one should have at least tried to unlearn stuff that just never worked well. Like honesty before kindness. Come on, was it really being honest or was it pride? Does it hurt too much to keep silent or to let things slide? At 70, I can pretend to have not heard or observed. Yeah. Smart people know when to act stupid. What for, you ask? For harmony. Mind you, it’s worth it.

Moments to cherish.
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Making Memories (2023)

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October 24, 2023

This 2023 is a year marked by so many milestones. In a couple more months, we’d prep to welcome a new year and I just can’t wait to give my yearend update! I know, I’m 2 months early but there is just so much to tell. Or write about. Early on, the year started with health travails within the family. Throughout the year, we’ve learned to manage the heartbreaks and inconveniences. To some extent, we even managed to ignore the problems and carried on celebrating life. At this stage, we felt we just can’t skip nor miss, or worse, waste the opportunities. Life will always have its ups and downs. The challenge lies in how we can stay happy. And hopeful.

Half Full or Half Empty? To see or not to see?
Dead of Winter in Early January in Japan

Started the year with a winter trip to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. A visiting niece has long wanted and has never been to Japan so I obliged. After all, Japan is always a good idea. Yeah, I was in this land of the sun just last November 2022 and it hasn’t been 2 months yet! And a few months later around spring, I’d find myself back again in the Kansai region with my 2 other nieces. I can’t believe I made 3 trips to Japan in a span of 5 months. Not that I’m complaining. I love Japan.

Trio in Kansai for Sakura
A 3-week trip to Europe

We planned our trip to Europe in between trips to the hospital’s emergency room. One of us got her visa a day before departure. 😩 We were scheduled to arrive late in Amsterdam without a hotel room on our first night. Managed to book a room only from the airport’s departure lounge. All’s well. And the trip turned out to be truly unforgettable with a few mishaps here and there. I traveled with my 2 grandchildren from Amsterdam to Brussels to Brugges to Provence to Paris. The train connections we arranged as we went along.

Up North in Sapa, Vietnam
An unplanned trip to Phuket, Thailand

The trip to northwestern Vietnam was a welcome break amidst all the stress from life’s uncertainties. Never mind that it took 6 hours going from Hanoi to Sapa. If only for the clouds rolling through the mountains carved by rice field terraces, as well as the coffee scene, this trip to Northern Vietnam is worth it. And the impromptu meet-ups in Phuket, Thailand with our OZ branch of the family turned out to be the perfect stress-buster. As they say, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! Such a lovely time we had basking under the sun and digging our toes in the sand. The holiday resort we stayed in was perfect for us. The resort activities kept us entertained and there was plenty of time to catch up with one another too.

The Grand Homecoming of MC ’73
Reunion

The year 2023 likewise marked the golden jubilee for my college batch. More than 5 decades of friendship. We did well with a yearbook, a beach weekend, trip to a pottery workshop, many luncheons and cocktails, and a lovely video and collage of all our homecoming events. What a blessing to experience all these — reminiscing our teenage years in college and delighting in how we still manage to enjoy each other’s company as we rolled into our 70’s. With some now living abroad, we have missed each other far too long. But it never took that long to pick up where we left off. An old joke persists. An old story repeated countless times.

Degustacion Treat at Metiz
Birthday Lunch at Beso Beso

And the golden jubilarian turning septuagenarian? It all happened in 2023. What a milestone! In our batch, I was the youngest. The last to turn 70. To my elves, I’m ancient. The same elves who treated me to a degustacion in Metiz Restaurant. Not wanting to go home yet after dinner, we lingered at our favorite hotel lobby just chatting till they closed shop. On the very day I turned 70, we had lunch in Beso Beso which translates to “kisses”. A lovely time for the family as we then proceeded to hear Sunday Mass after lunch and indulged in some shopping later, before another family dinner at Made Nice. It was a Sunday, a birthday truly made nice as we stayed together a good part of that day. Quite rare now as everyone gets busy with new jobs, a career, some projects. An opportunity not to be missed. Nor wasted. Memories. Life is a celebration.

Dinner at Made Nice

Happiness
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Back To Thursdates With Mu

Filed under: Food Trip, Musings & Ramblings, Philippine Travels, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
October 12, 2023

Having “Thursdates with Mu” and apo says Tagaytay gives her Sapa vibes. Sapa in Northern Vietnam was our recent travel together and we still remember that hill town “in the clouds”. Foggy when we arrived in Tagaytay, rainy when we slurped our ramen somewhere in Alfonso, and clear now as we sip our beers. Hello, everyone! Let’s do a field trip / cafe crawl in Tagaytay /Alfonso, Cavite. Apo had a long list of cafes, restos and a brewery to visit, all very neatly plotted on a map. My “trainee” is doing even better than me in the travel research department! On our ride here, we settled on 3 spots in her itinerary. A ramen lunch, a coffee stop and a brewery to check out. Sounds like a good plan?

Dining Al fresco or inside one of these
Edo-inspired wooden houses? This is Surugin Ramen House “deep” in Alfonso, Cavite. Just waze it!
Katsu Curry Ramen & Odori Ramen

Surugin Ramen House reminded me of an Edo town somewhere near Kyoto as we slurped our steaming ramen and devoured the gyoza. It drizzled while we enjoyed our lunch al fresco under a shed. There were just the two of us here on this Thursday though I hear weekends are real busy. As in long queues! Just as well we came on a weekday. Took us all of 2 hours though, driving from Makati. Some portions of the expressways ain’t no express drives. Especially before and soon after the toll exits. Anyway, we “owned” the place so we took the chance to loiter around the gardens and checked out the cottages while waiting for lunch to be served. A pity though that they don’t serve hot tea. The only “flaw” to a good ramen meal. Tsk. Tsk.

Kape’an is some 15 minutes away from Surugin
Kape’an is huge! Perfect for big events.

Post-lunch, we headed to our next stop for some coffee. Frankly, café has been more a dessert for moí lately. The coffee concoctions have been bolder, sweeter and overall more “sinful” unless you settle for a simple, straight-out espresso or good ol’ black coffee. We chose to drink our coffee hot this time, as it started to rain and the temps grew cooler. It even went foggy on our drive here which triggered our Sapa memories. 😍 We were also pleasantly surprised that Kape’an even has a fishpond and a hotel. The sprawling gardens make for perfect spots to enjoy your latté or non-coffee bevs like my “Nut-so-coffee”. We spent more time here than necessary. Drawn to check out the hotel rooms, we walked deep into the estate and passed a pond and several more al fresco coffee spots on our way to the hotel. I can’t believe this hotel existed since 2015! Very well maintained, I must say. We checked out the rooms and found a detached unit that suits a family of 6 or even 8. The unit has a bedroom and a loft (with 4 beds!) plus a sitting room and a kitchenette. I was tempted to book it right away for a family staycation. Staying in shouldn’t be a problem since there’s Kape’an and a restaurant within the hotel compound. The swimming pool looked very inviting too.

The Pond.
Abagatan Ti Manila Hotel

There could have been a couple more stops but we opted to spend more time in this brewery before calling it a day. We’ve heard horror stories about the traffic even on expressways. Papa Bolo Brewery is a revelation. I’ve been to Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam and find that the same experience can be repeated here. The place looks so impressive with all the modern touches. The menu has many offerings and while we’ve tried only 2 kinds of beers, both were good. I can imagine many events taking place here. And seriously? The place looks so inviting with the barrel dining and drinking spots on all 3 floors, each with a view of the glasscased brewery . Then there’s an area where bigger groups can enjoy small parties in comfort with game machines around.

Papa Bolo Brewery in Tagaytay
Beer, anyone? There’s Piña Niña, Cowboy Classic, Fruity Booty and More.

All told, it’s been a good day to discover new places. I’ve always loved Tagaytay. It’s my own “Disneyland” when I was a child. My happy place. Of course, it was way simpler, less busy and not crowded then. I am delighted that there has been many flourishing restos, boutique hotels and shops around here. And the vibrant coffee scene! I only wish the authorities manage this development very well. There have been a lot of blunders in the past administrations but I remain hopeful that local businesses here can be nurtured while made responsible and sustainable. After all, it’s a go-to destination for most tourists as well as locals because of its proximity to Manila. With the traffic even getting worse, I hope for better infrastructure for ease of transport and access for everyone. There’s only one Tagaytay and one Taal Volcano and Lake, the sights of which never fail to mesmerize me. Fell in love with that scene as a child, and still recall a big painting in our living room of the same scene. As a child, I don’t remember a morning that I didn’t look at that painting. Still stuck in my mind. 🥰

For bigger groups
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Family Staycation in Mai Khao

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October 6, 2023

We hit the ground running upon touchdown. Our OZ family and Thai in-laws were waiting to fetch us as soon as we landed in Phuket. Lunch in Nam Yoi in Phuket Town was the best we’ve had, nvm that it’s spicy. Serving local cuisine, sans airconditioning but truly yum even for those who aren’t fans of red chillies. Nothing a pitcher of water can’t remedy. Felt like that meal totally cleared my sinuses. 😝

My Little Boy Blue
Two branches of our OZ family + Thai inlaws

We decided to cancel one day trip and simply settle in at the vacation resort we were staying in for a day and a half. Enjoyed the Mai Khao Beach but spent more time at the resort’s pool starting with aqua aerobics for the adults and enjoying a pizza lunch at one of the cabanas. The Marriott Play Lounge was an excellent spot for both adults and kids to enjoy snooker, mahjong or simply watching soccer games on a wide screen. The afternoon siesta prepped us for the Fire Fest at the poolside by sundown. I enjoyed it from our room balcony while the rest went down for a closer look. Then, we walked towards the adjacent Turtle Village for dinner and some ice cream. Turned out to be an early celebration of my birthday a good 2 weeks away. It was a day well spent at the resort. Much to do within the complex and some really good restaurants and shops a short distance away. There were even buggies to drive us to other Marriott and Anantara hotels and resorts. But no luck swimming at the beach because the red flag is up as the waves and currents were strong.

No need to step out of the resort hotel.
Aqua aerobics to start the day
Pizza lunch at the Cabana

This trip was planned for my OZ family and their Thai family. At the last minute, a niece and her hubby decided to join the trip from Sydney to the shores of Phuket. At an even later minute, my sobrina and I opted to join the beach holiday even for just a few days. I’m glad we did. Some spur-of-the-moment decisions are tops especially when it means spending time with family to create happy memories. Opportunities best not wasted. The only thing firm about this trip was the reservations at the resort. All else were firmed up as we went along. Everything turned out near-perfect. Even when we grew exhausted to step out for dinner and settled for meals from the nearby convenience store. The villa kitchenette went busy as we prepared sandwiches and fruit and salad platters while the washing machine was spinning and the coffee machine dripping.

Fire Dance Performers
Marriott Vacation Club
Someone’s jumping with joy!

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Itsy-Beachy in Phi Phi

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October 5, 2023

Our catamaran took us on a day trip of Phi Phi and the nearby islands including Maya Beach which was featured in the Leo Di Caprio movie “The Beach” . My second time here. It was a long day of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, beer-drinking and beach bumming. Life is a beach indeed. The little boy in our family was most active in all departments except in the beer-drinking. Gave us a scare one moment when we couldn’t find him for some 2 minutes. Turned out someone from the boat crew took him snorkeling a little away from the bunch to a spot with better fish-viewing. The boatman was actually quite impressed with our little man’s swimming and zest for water adventures. Still, we got worried for some moments.

Such clear, turquoise water!
From Country to Country. From Beer to Beer.

It was a long day. We started at 9am and called it a day around 5pm. In and out of water, hopping from island to island, capped by a rocky boat ride on our way back to pier. It was exhausting but so much fun. Family bonding to the core. I couldn’t remember how many island stops we made. There were at least 5. The high temps didn’t even deter us from basking under the sun with a bottle of cold beer or cantaloupe juice in hand. Every so often, the boat crew would serve us slices of sweet pineapple and watermelon. There was also an endless stock of cold drinks from coconut water, cantaloupe, orange and pineapple juice. Lunch was delicious too, buffet-served in a restaurant in one of the islands.

First of Many Dips
Kayaking Family

Family trips are my thing. Staying together 24/7, sharing all meals, enjoying the same outdoor activities and conversations running from the most mundane to random topics like travel blunders and celebrity crushes. This is where and when you get your updates on most everyone especially the younger members of the family. Growing up, their dreams and perspectives are ever changing and the family trips help us keep apprised on their goings-on and evolving characters. As a child, I still recall our fond memories of the family beach outings, picnics, concerts, reunions, sports activities and special dinners and stuff.

Life is a beach!
Water Taxi

Koh Phi Phi is a good island/boat destination but it has also become so popular it seems to have transformed into a party island. Last time I was here was 10 years ago in 2013. Even then, it was kind of busy. I am glad we chose to stay in the quiet part of Phuket. Mai Khao is isolated from the more popular beach resorts and an hour’s drive from the resort town of Patong. Judging by the crowds in the street markets, local beaches and the boat traffic between the nearby islands, the Phuket evenings must be so vibrant and festive, if not noisy. All told, the memories we created here should serve the “little boy” well into adulthood. Likewise with the adults, while smarting from the fatigued muscles gained from all those dips in the water and the tans on their skins! Life is indeed a celebration. 🎉

One rough homebound ride in this Catamaran
One framed souvenir photo for each member of family.
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Sunday Street Market in Old Phuket Town (Thailand)

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October 4, 2023

On my first visit here years ago, I was with friends and the trip was really a spur-of-the-moment thing. We were invited to spend 3 nights in the island and all we wanted to do then was to enjoy the island life. The sun. The sand. The speedboat. The beer. The spicy food. The fruits. Oh, the fruits! At the time, Phuket was simply a tropical holiday destination for us. Island-hopping seemed like a must-do in this corner of the world. A beach holiday, if you will.

Sino-Portuguese Architecture
Sunday Street Market

We arrived here in Phuket on a Sunday so we didn’t waste time and checked out the Old Phuket Town Market. The Sunday Street Market was teeming with tourists eager to try local snacks, especially the local fruits, as well as shop for local clothes and souvenir items. Trendy, cheap and vibrant. I love the houses lining the Thalang Street here. The Sino-Portuguese architecture with bright lights and street performances by musical groups give the street market a festive atmosphere. Tons of photo opportunities. Lotsa shopping options. No wonder it’s a popular attraction among the tourists. It’s also a welcome break after some trips to nearby islands for those beach adventures.

Thalang Street Market in Old Phuket Town
Micro-Pineapples. Really Sweet.

Thalang Street is right smack in the center of the historical part of town. The Old Phuket Town. All of 360 meters, it is open only on Sundays from 4pm to 10pm. The shophouses beautifully display the Chinese and Portuguese influences. Reminded me of the Peranakan influence expressed in the Penang architecture in Malaysia. Shops on the ground floor, living quarters on the upper floor. If there was time, it would have been interesting to explore beyond this street market to see the Peranakan heritage houses and mansions as well as a couple of museums in the old town.

More shophouses.
There was a park at the end of the street market with shade trees and less crowd.

Before coming here, we had a good lunch elsewhere. If not for sated cravings and full bellies, we would have given in to all those tempting street food. Pork barbecue for 20 baht a stick? A pack of pineapple minis for 60 baht? I found packed meals for less than 100 baht here. Prices were reasonable and I saw many locals buying street food to take away. Beats cooking dinner, I guess. Or one may opt to “eat in” or eat while walking the street market while listening to the blaring music from street buskers. As it turned out, we managed to buy more food to stock the refs in our hotel room. We had way too many of those micro pineapples to eat for the entire 4 days and 3 nights we stayed in Phuket. 🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍

Local Lunch. So Thai. So yum.
They’re like mini crepes that’s crispy. .
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Let’s Fruitify! (Thai Series)

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October 1, 2023

Whenever I get an invite from friends to go on a trip to Bangkok, it’s almost always a “food trip” or more aptly, a “fruit trip” in our minds. I’ve tried going in summer so there are more fruits in season, but the heat and humidity is nearly a curse so I promised myself I’d never go in summer. To welcome October, my niece and I flew into Bangkok on our way to catch a connecting flight to Phuket the next morning. Just time enough to check in our bags at an airport hotel and gorge ourselves on all the fruits we fancy (many we stuffed into our bags flying into Phuket) before calling it a day. Half of our OZ family is waiting for us in a beach resort in Phuket and we are dripping in so much excitement. My niece-in-law who is Thai, her family and ours, are waiting. But first, we “fruitify”. Got that word from my apo’s friend with whom my apo shared the fruit box I prepped whenever I fetched her from school then.

Custard or Sugar Apple, Strawberries, Guapple, Jackfruit, Grapes of all kinds and sizes, Watermelon, And More
My All-Time Favourite along with Persimmons

We also found the time — rather failed to resist — trying Thai curry and seafood pot rice in the mall a short cab ride from our airport hotel. (Incidentally, the spartan but spotty clean airport hotel is one I’d recommend. Nothing fancy but value-for-money for just a night to rest your bodies before an early morning flight. No rush means no anxieties!) Not to forget, have you tried fish flakes with your watermelon? Ours was served that way and it’s an interesting combo.

Watermelon with Fish Flakes
Fruits Galore

From Amari Don Muang Airport to Rangsit Future Park Mall is around 100-120 baht by taxi. There, you can buy as much fruit as you can HARDLY muster. I wanted to try all of them! And the food court offers both cheap and delish samples of Thai cuisine. We tried S&P, which had a good display of bread and pastries we could buy for next day’s breakfast in our room, but ended up sitting for a proper meal. Just be warned: my chicken curry was smoking hot. Even the papaya salad served with it was so spicy. But really good. I’m just warning you to have a glass — or a pitcher — of water ready. 😝

Chicken Curry with Coconut Rice and Papaya Salad
Seafood Pot Rice from S&P

Bellies full, bodies rested, we walked from our airport hotel to Terminal 2 of the domestic airport. In under 15 minutes, we’ve checked in and walked with the robot-sweeper towards our gate. Did I tell you we had a cute-sy budget airplane flying into Phuket? Lookee…..

Don Muang Domestic Airport
Nok Air.
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