My KANIN CLUB Experience

I have been hearing about Kanin Club for like forever! I just live near Alabang but I don't really get that chance to experience what it offers. But today, thanks to my high school friends, we chose KC as the venue of our get-together this year.

KC gets packed during lunch and dinner time. True enough, we waited for an hour and a half to be seated at their Westgate Alabang branch. We almost gave up but I thank God we didn't! The servers were friendly and they do serve fast. Every dish is meant for sharing so don't go there alone. It's always nice to enjoy good food in the company of good friends and family. Here are just some of the good food I am talking about. I guarantee you won't regret dining here.

Crispy Dinuguan

Kanin Club's signature dish. Promise, it's soooo good!

Binukadkad na Tilapia

Aligue rice

Tinapa Rice

Rice pa lang ulam na :)

This turned out to be my favorite!

Other KC branches:

UP Technohub

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Paseo de Santa Rosa

Ni hao, Taiwan! [Part 2]

Day 2 - Taipei 101, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Maokong Gondola

My second day in Taipei is a really busy one. I was so excited to finally see the world-famous Taipei 101. It has been a long time that it was on my dream-destinations list. That day I will finally have it crossed out! Yahoo!

The Taipei 101 is located in the Xinyi District. It is accessible via the Taipei City Hall MRT station (Blue Line - Nangang). I chose to walk from the exit to 101. You can also rent a bike to go around the area.

I had lunch at the Grand Market, located at the basement of 101, which is equivalent to a food court here in Pinas. I could compare it to a floor at Podium or a portion of Serendra-Fort. The whole place was so clean.

Sergeant Chicken Rice meal combo

This was was highly recommended by a friend who visited Taiwan last year. Their hainanese chicken rice is so good. My lunch only cost me NTD$150 (P220).

This is part of the Liberty Square.

My next stop is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall which is located in the Zhongzheng District. Exit 5 of the CKS MRT Station is right beside the hall! The place was huge, enough to say that the former Chinese president is very much revered.

This is the hall that houses an enormous statue of President CKS. One of the attractions here is the hourly changing-of-the-guards ceremony.

Make sure you bring a bottle of water while touring CKS to keep you hydrated. Should you forget, there are several beverage vendos at the entrance of the square. An umbrella is also a must to protect you from the scorching heat of the sun.

My final stop is the Maokong Gondola.

This gondola mode of transportation runs between Taipei Zoo and Maokong. It has four stations: Taipei Zoo, Taipei Zoo South, Zhinan Temple and Maokong.

This marks the end of the gondola trip -- Maokong. I was surprised that in a remote area like this, people (local or tourist) come here to eat. You can find a row of restaurants and tea houses in Maokong.

As you exit the Maokong Gondola Station, these boards list all the teahouses along the road.

On my way back, I just had to take the Eyes of Maokong Gondola. This crystal cabin has a glass bottom which lets you see what's below -- not for the faint-hearted. :-)

The Maokong Gondola has been closed and reopened a few times due to safety, ventilation and environmental concerns. But all the issues have been addressed and it has been operational since April 2010.

Ni hao, Taiwan!

My trip to Taiwan is my first time to travel ALONE and this time in a different country. I have had hesitations to go explore destinations by myself merely because I was scared. But after Taiwan, I realized that once in your life you should have travelled alone.

There are benefits to solitary travel:

1. You go at your own pace. You don't need to wait on anyone. No consideration whatsoever with what people think of the room, the food, etc.
2. You go where you want to go. If you enjoy nature and hate museums, then go where you feel you will enjoy more. Take time taking photographs.
3. You learn so many things about yourself. During the trip I figured I am really good at reading maps and following directions :-)
4. It's fun to get lost! One time I missed my bus stop and decided to just get off the bus in a place I have no information about. It turned out to be an adventure as I found out it was a district full of cosmetic clinics.

The only disadvantage of travelling all by yourself is that no one is there to take your photos. But it's alright. Taiwan is not about me, anyway. :-)

Going around Taipei will be very easy for travelers as the Metro Taipe (MRT) is there to bring you to anywhere in the city. Most tourist destinations are just walking distance from the station. Don't worry, names and directions have English translations in ALL MRT stations.

TIP: Avail the pre-loaded EasyCard which you can use in the MRT, bus and the Maokong Gondola. I had mine loaded with $500, surprisingly that's more than enough for a 3-day tour of Taipei. I was even refunded the remaining balance before I left for the airport on my last day of stay.

DAY 1 - Sun Yat-Sen Memorial, Longshan Temple, National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

There's a dedicated station for this destination.

Longshan Temple

This is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan. It'll take you about a minute to reach the temple gates from the MRT station. Worshipppers offer food and prayers to Buddha. At the back of the temple sits a huge Golden Buddha.

By MRT: Longshan Temple MRT Station

By Bus : 11 . 201. 205 . 229 . 231 . 233 . 234 . 242 . 310 . 38 . 49 . 527 . 62 . 624 . 628 . 701 . 702 . 703 . 705 . 28

National Palace Museum

This probably houses the biggest collection of Asian and Chinese artifacts. Entrance fee is NTD$160. There is a 50% discount for students/youth.

The Shilin Night Market

This is a haven for food lovers like me. Accessible via the Jiantan MRT Station.

The very famous STINKY TOFU which I loved so much! I even had a second serving :)

Ang Sarap sa CASA RAP!

I had an opportunity to visit a secret gem in San Jose, Batangas. Casa Rap Restaurant is owned by former nun Sister Emma Alday. It's located at Km. 90 National Highway in San Jose. They serve really good yet affordable food here.

This is their signature salad. I so love it! Freshly picked from Sister Emma's own garden. So colorful, I almost didn't wanna touch it :)

Another specialty is the Halo-Halo. Casa Rap does not use ice but buko sherbet.

Still in experimental level, Sister Emma is growing her own strawberries.

This one really caught my eye. I wanna bring this home! :)

Another classic piece. This aquarium is recycled from a vehicle windshield.

Sister Emma says the restaurant is still in progress. If she has time and resources, she tries to fill up the space with more tables and chairs.

I definitely want to go back, hopefully to have a chat again with Sister Emma. :)

Airphil Express BOTO!!! (buy one take one)

Time to plan for new destinations in 2012. Choose to be with someone :)

Check out Airphils' Facebook page for more details: http://www.facebook.com/airphilexpressph.

Tara na!!! You only have until August 14th to book.

EK to your heart's delight

Ensogo is offering a Pre-Anniversary Treat with just 300 for a regular Day Pass. The pass is valued at 500. Validity is from Aug 27 to Nov 13, 2011. So grab a pass now, you can purchase up to 10 vouchers per person.

EK Day is Family Day!!!

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Addicted to Group-buying sites

Have you guys heard about group-buying sites? I'm sure a lot of you have already purchased discount vouchers from these sites. Some of my great buys include:

1. The 10 Yr Anniversary Promo from Yellow Cab
2. Body Scrub with 30-min massage at Fitness First Spa
3. Buffet Lunch/Dinner for 2 at Spiral Restaurant in Sofitel for half the price
4. Hair Spa with Leg Paraffin and Pedicure at Philippe's Salon in Sofitel Hotel (orig. price is 5k)
5. Korean Photo Studio package for half the price
6. Fruit Magic Smoothies for half the price again
7. Buffet lunch for 3 at Crown Plaza Hotel

I don't consider myself as an addict (yet) but I sure love these discounted vouchers! You can even give them out as gifts.

Here are some of the must-go-check groupon sites:

1. http://www.ensogo.com.ph
2. https://dealgrocer.com
3. http://www.cashcashpinoy.com/ (one of my favorites)
4. http://www.metrodeal.com
5. http://beeconomic.com/philippines/

So start buying! :)

The PNR Manila-Naga-Manila Train

This is how the new economy-class coach of the PNR Bicol Express Train looks like. It's air conditioned and has reclining seats, really fit for a comfortable long travel. I hope to feel the ride soon! :)

Photo credit: Francis Pena (Facebook image)