My Travel Plans for 2019

Another new year has come, and I’m making a new set of travel plans, so yes, I’m eyeing this year’s long weekends and vacation breaks while constantly saving for these anticipated travel plans in 2019. Do you and I have the same goals in mind?

Going Japanese.
Cherry blossoms. The bright vermilion torii gates. Soba ramen. All these and more will surely make me scream with happiness. Japan, I’m coming for you this Year of the Pig!

Taking advantage of visa-free travel.
Since hearing the news that Taiwan’s visa-free until July of this year (here in the PH), my sister and I both can’t help but plan to pack up our bags and get ready to see the National Palace Museum, Taroko National Park, Taipei 101 and the other fantastic spots in this country.

For the love of japchae and kimchi.
I’m not a fan of KPop, but Korea is fascinating. Its culture and history are something that entices tourists to go and experience this old yet modern country with underrated natural attractions.

The mere mention of Seoul is enough to tickle our bones! This remarkable city, filled with hundreds and hundreds of restaurants, shopping areas, and mind-blowing attractions, is on every Filipino’s travel bucket list. I’m sure I’ll have countless selfies there, especially when I put on a gatekeeper costume at Gyeongbokgung Palace and when I’m taking a peek at Lotte Mart.

Going local, of course!
With our seven thousand-plus islands, there’s no shortage of beaches, coves, mountains, waterfalls, and other natural formations that will always blow us away. I haven’t tried swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, and this year, I’m seriously considering it. I plan to revisit one of my favorite provinces in Luzon, La Union, and do what I always do: sit on the beach while drinking a bottle of iced cold beer, watch the surfers, and worship the sun.

How about you? I’m sure you already have a list of travel plans for 2019. Better to plan, save and enjoy your chosen destination. Remember, traveling is terrific in so many ways.

Coffee, food and friendship

It’s very common nowadays for friends to meet up in a cafe or pizzeria or restaurant to catch up on each other’s lives.  And my friends and I, belong to this demographic who enjoy an order of pasta, pizza, fruit juices and coffee while chitchatting the hours away.  There must be something about coffee and food that add up to the bond of friendship.  Personally, I favoured  those cozy coffee shops with  wide array of food choices than those mainstream cafes which are always filled with people and with limited menu options.

Living in the province north of Manila, the place doesn’t fall short on good spots to dine and enjoy some eating eureka.  One place we frequent is this cozy cafe/restaurant located along McArthur Highway, Meycauyan called Cafe Nenzo.  Well-lit with nice, welcoming interiors and comfy seating, Cafe Nenzo is me and my friends official “meeting place.”

That Saturday, like those old-usual-catching-up-late-in-the-afternoon bonding, we treated ourselves to our all time favorite –  pizza and pasta.  Always a fan of their trio cheese pizza, this time around, we tried the garlic mushroom pizza and we paired it with creamy seafood pasta.  Such a beautiful combination – the thin crust pizza smoldered with ample amount of mushroom and garlic slices (which you can top with diced tomato or lettuce or alfalfa sprouts before devouring) and the creamy seafood pasta (loaded with shrimps and squid, really!) were really filling, comforting even, if I may say; fruit juices complemented these meals.  Of course, desserts are always a part of a dining engagement.  And Cafe Nenzo offers a wide variety of sinfully good sweets.  We ordered slices of cheesecake and carrot cake and cups of brewed coffee.  What  I like about their pastries is that they are not that sweet like the pastries in other cafes – the cheesecake was so rich with flavours it makes you want to eat it the whole of it right away; and the carrot cake was moist and soft, it perfectly goes with coffee.

Service was very consistent.  The staff are  friendly and warm.  Not to forget that they are really attentive and would always approach you with a smile on their faces.  These things also tote up to the warm, relaxing ambiance of the place.

Cafe Nenzo also serves vegetarian dishes.  And from what I’ve heard from my cousins, these dishes are also something worthy to try.  Well, will sure do the next time!  Actually, I haven’t tried their coloful nachos, California maki salad, beef salpicao and a lot more.  Oh my goodness!  I think we have to schedule another catching-up-bonding very soon! Haha!

 

 

Return

Back again, back again

After years of fading out.

Back again, back again

I hope I can share something I care about.

Back again, back gain

Just happy to come again.