Day 02 of our trip started with breakfast at Old Town White Coffee Basic.
We woke up early and decided to have breakfast outside the hotel instead of eating at the hotel buffet although the price is reasonable we are with kids who don't have big appetite in the morning and also the van will pick-up us around 11:30 am. I wanted to have a tour within Johor Bahru prior to our journey back to Singapore but the time is tight so we just enjoy our breakfast.
The Oldtownown White coffee is known for their white coffee and Malaysian food. Of course our malaysian trip is not complete without tatsing the local malay fod.
Here are some of the food that we ordered:
Old Town Nasi Lemak Classic
Curry Puff
Old Town Curry Mee
Me, Gaby and my Mum enjoying the Nasi Lemak. Its basically similar to our famous tosilog in the Philippines, the chicken taste like tocino (sweet style pork/chicken).
Don't forget to bring home some of their famous ready mix coffee for your pasalubong. I also ordered curry puff and sandwiches just in case the kids starve in the middle of our journey back to Singapore.
We enjoyed our breakfast in the old town white coffee. Their coffee is superb and one of a kind and a must try once you visit the Johor Bahru. We also enjoyed the food from their nasi lemak, noodles and the curry puff. The price range of their food is very affordable specially their combo meals.
I wanted to dedicate this post to the woman who inspire me to so many things.
I will use tagalog so if in case my nanay will be able to read this post she will feel my heartful sincerity.
Lets do this, shall we.
Sa aking nanay,
Marahil marami ang nagtatanong bakit Modern Nanay ang pangalan ng aking blog. Yun ay dahil isa ka sa inspirasyon kung bakit ko nais kong ibahagi ang buhay ng isang ina.
Iba't iba ang bawat katangian ng isang ina. Iba't ibang kwento at karansan, Pero masasabi ko na hindi man ganun kadali ang tinahak natin daan. Alam ko na hindi mo ako kailanman binitawan at iniwanan, Sa aking bawat desisyon ay patuloy mo akong ginabayan.
Alam ko ina na marami akong kamalian At hindi naging perpekto kailanman. Marami beses man tayo nagkaroon ng alitan Ngunit sa huli ako iyong naiintindihan.
Sa araw na ito nais kitang pasalamatan, Sa iyong labis na pagmamahal. Sa lahat nga paggabay at pagalaga. Ng walang hinihintay na kapalit.
Included on our itinerary is a sidetrip to Minalungao National Park.
ABOUT THE PLACE:
Minalungao National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon. The park covers an area of 2,018 hectares centered along the scenic Peñaranda River bordered on both sides by up to 16-meter high limestone walls in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range.
We were surprise that there is an entrance fee of 100 pesos per head and it was effective the day before we arrive, how unlucky.
When we arrive its already late afternoon, we have plans on going for a deep but we lost interest when we saw the crowd.
Its weekend when we visited and so as expected there are loads of tourist as well. We didnt explore much of the place because of limited time but we are able to capture few photos.
Two kinds of bridge. The hanging bridge, this is nerve rocking because it shaky specially if loads of people walking. The bamboo bridge its less scary.
Puro bato ditto bes, ipose na lang natin yan.
Overall I would still love to comeback here in Minalungao but I will make sure its either weekdays or not during summer for me to experience other amenities.
Its already summer here in the Philippines and we have long list of beaches, islands and so many destinations to offer. To be honest being here in the Philippines sometimes you cant decide where to start with all the best beaches and tourist spots, but HEY! there is no pressure of visiting all 81 provinces.
So to start with my summer vacation first spot DINGALAN AURORA.
Have you heard about the place? No? I guessed so because even I haven't heard about it. Thanks to my friend for tagging me along to his trip.
ABOUT THE PLACE:
DINGALAN, AURORA is the southernmost town of Aurora; it is separated from the rest of the province by the Sierra Madre mountains. Most of its tourists come from the nearby province, Nueva Ecija. Tagged as Batanes of the East.
We joined a day tour arrange by LU, its very inviting for Php 1,000 pesos you will be able to visit Dingalan View Deck, light house, Tanawan Falls (but instead we went to Lipos Falls) and with sidetrip to Minalungao River. That includes van transfer and food. Surely you will grab that opportunity.
Here is our itinerary:
10:00 pm - Assembly (mcdonald q.ave)
12:00 am - ETD To Dingalan Aurora
3:00 am - ETA To Dingalan Aurora
Breakfast
4:30 am Feeder Port Arrival
5:30 am Boat ride to white beach
6:00 am - ETA to white beach
6:30 am - View Deck
8:00 am - Lighthouse
9:20 am - Lunch
10:00 am - Return to Feeder Port
11:00 am - Lipos Falls
2:00 pm. - I LOVE DINGALAN
4:00 pm. - ETA to minaluangao
6:00 pm. - back to manila
8:00 pm. - dinner
11:00 pm. - ETA IN MANILA
That is the actual itinerary that we follow. But it still depend on your group phase with the timing and also other circumstances might affect.
First stop early breakfast. We enjoyed the porridge here, it has a very unique taste. Meat are grilled instead of boiled. Perfect pair with an egg for only Php 25 pesos.
We arrived at feeder port too early so we have to wait until 530 am. More time to appreciate the sunrise. We have to ride a boat going to white beach it will take 15-20 minutes but you could also trek from feeder point to the viewing deck and it will take you 40-50 minutes.
White beach is not exactly white sand so don't expect too much. (mabibigo ka lang bes). There are several kubo that you could rent to leave your bags or build a tent for those who decide to stay overnight. Lets go trekking!
The path to the viewing deck is not that easy. Its steep and muddy with combination of rocks. Im not a professional mountaineer or hiker. This is just based on my experience. Despite all that, I was still able to manage reaching the top.
After 30 minutes you will feel satisfied. The scenic view of the mountain and the sea will welcome you. My first ever climb, unexplainable facial expression.
Next stop walking to the lighthouse. Its much easier than the other trail since its less muddy and with rope on the steep part. Its more of the grassland so walking took less than 30 minutes and the weather is extremely hot so make sure you place adequate sunblock.
Credit: John Luis Samonte Peña
Getting a decent shot on the area is difficult due to the crowd. But despite all that thanks to our tour guide who serve as our photographer. I suggest to walk early, to avoid extreme sun and build up of crowd.
Included on the arrange tour is the free food. Boodle fight is normal to Filipino culture this is define as eating by hand. Oh by the way try their buko ice candy, its very creamy, Must try to beat the heat.
Leaving the white beach is heart breaking. Here at feeder point you could park your car or van, its the mainport going to white beach and other areas.
Welcome Lipos Falls. We decided to went there instead of Tanawan Falls because its peaked season and its more crowded on that area. Base on our tour guide this falls is less crowded and we can enjoy swimming with no restrictions.
I highly suggest going to this place. Fresh clear water as if you own a big Jacuzzi. Its unspoiled ambiance will make you feel refresh after a long day of walking. You could go cliff jumping with all those rocks. According to the tourist guide its 7 foot deep but as always jump at your own risk.
To end the trip, let me take #selfie
There you go that is our AURORA trip, day tour is not enough to enjoy such a beautiful place but sometimes we have to escape the busy streets of Manila and breathe fresh air. Here is a quick video of my Dingalan Trip
If you want to experience arrange trips and more DIY travels:
Kindly contact FB account: John Luis Samonte Peña
That's it hopefully everyone will experience Batanes of the East.
I do love Japanese food but unfortunately its either expensive or unavailable in my area.
I always wonder how is it made or how can I have it daily or every time I wanted.
So I did search the web for a place where can I buy Japanese ingredients in Manila. Fortunately I have found FUJIMART and its just on the way from my supplier. I will write a separate post about it.
I decided to make CALIFORNIA MAKI. The difference between California Maki and Sushi is the way it's rolled. The California Roll has the sushi rice on the outside with the nori on the inside. A Sushi roll has the sushi rice on the inside with the nori on the outside.
CALIFORNIA MAKI RECIPE
4 TBSP MIRIN (RICE WINE)
1 TBSP SUGAR
1/2 TSP SALT
4 CUP JAPANESE RICE COOKED
CRABSTICK (KANI)
RIPE MANGOES
MAYONNAISE
CUCUMBER
NORI (SEAWEED PAPER)
EBIKO
BAMBOO MAT
PRCEDURE:
Mix mirin, sugar and salt. Place on a microwave oven for 1 minute to fully dissolve.
Pour the mirin mixture to the rice and then fold using wooden spoon.
Make sure to wrap the sushi mat with cling wrap.
Lay the nori sheet into the mat (shiny side down). Cover the entire sheet with rice. Then flip over.
Place the crabstick, mayonnaise, mangoes and cucumber. Using the mat as a guide, carefully roll the California roll into a tight log. Remove the rolling mat.
Cut into half and roll it to ebiko. Then cut it to either 8 or 6 equal portion.
Serve it with soy sauce and wasabi if desire.
Here is the video on how I did it. Click HD for better viewing.
Please do note that I am not a chef and all my recipe are based on my experienced.
It's the season of mangoes. So for my mum's birthday I decided to prepare NO BAKE MANGO CHEESECAKE.
NO BAKE MANGO CHEESECAKE
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CRUST:
1 CUP CRUSHED GRAHAM
1/4 CUP MELTED BUTTER
1 BAR CREAM CHEESE
1 CUP CONDENSED MILK
1 CUP FROZEN ALL PURPOSE CREAM
PROCEDURE:
1. Stir together first 2 ingredients in a bowl; press into bottom of a 5 inch pan plus 16 pcs 2 oz cups.
2. With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and condensed milk until fluffy.
3. Add all purpose cream and fold.
4. Pour batter into prepared crust.
5. Garnish with Mango Chunks
6. Cover and chill 4-6 hours
Serving Suggestion: 1 piece of 5 inch cake and 16 pieces 2 oz cups
You have to remember we didn't put any gelatin or agar agar, so the staying power of the cake is minimal.
Base on my experience it lasted 1 1/2 hous without melting.
Here is the video on how I did it. Click HD for better viewing.
Have a good day NAYSHIE, share your creations on the comment box below and I will be happy to see.
Have you ever experience an impromptu event. That you need to prepare all the food with limited time. Of course, one of the most important part every filipino handaan have are the dessert.
Last time I have a sent off party for my husband, we only have less than a day to prepare.
Your Nayshie will never say no to the husbands will of having drinking session with my relatives.
For the dessert I prepare one of our favorite:
BUKO PANDAN SALAD
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE JELLY:
1 PACK JELLY POWDER
2 1/2 CUPS WATER
3/4 CUP SUGAR
SALAD MIXTURE:
2 CUPS JELLY CUBES
1 CUP SHREDDED COCONUT MEAT (BUKO)
1 CUP TAPIOCA CRYSTALS (SAGO)
1 CUP ANGEL KREMDENSADA
PROCEDURE: FOR THE JELLY:
1. Mix the jelly powder to the water (make sure not hot water).
2. Put the mixture to fire and add the sugar. Mix until fully dissolved.
3. Let it boil and remove from fire.
4. Add pandan essence (optional).
5. Transfer into a mold and let it cool.
6. Once fully hardens. Cut into cubes.
FOR THE SALAD:
1. Mix all the ingredients including the jelly cubes.
2. Refrigerate for 2 - 4 hours before serving.
Serving Suggestion: 10 - 15 cups
Here is the video on how I did it. Click HD for better viewing.
