Takoyaki

Posted on April 22, 2013 by heavenliner

Aside from having the ardent desire to revisit my dear nieces and nephew, destiny concurred and recognized that I return to Osaka, Japan because during my first visit I failed to eat Takoyaki.

Everybody knows that a trip to Osaka won’t be complete without eating the tastiest Takoyaki in the face of the universe. The best and most delicious is in Osaka for a simple reason that this lip smacking dish was invented right in the heart of the city.

cooking takoyaki

that’s my order…

It’s actually easy to find a good Osakan Takoyaki. Simply look for a store with a long queue selling this Japanese street-snack. Then you’re in the right place!

my niece (kim) behind her is one popular takoyaki store near don quixote

the popular takoyaki store along dotonbori street

the often blockbuster takoyaki store along dotonbori street

Truly, a trip to Osaka won’t be complete without trying at least one ball of hot savory Takoyaki!

Pogita bols!!! Yum Yum!!

Inari Shrine & Inari Sushi in Fushimi

Posted on April 19, 2013 by heavenliner

Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan is probably one of my favorite shrines. I love this temple of worship because of its aesthetics. The color of the structures contrasts very well with nature. It’s vermilion in color. The red-orange color of the torii gates mixes well with the bright blue pigment of the sky as well as the lush green fauna surrounding the area. It’s visually rich!

the gang entering the main gate

nengkoy in fushimi inari shrine

beautiful and impressive

i love the colors…

Maybe another reason why I unconsciously came to like this shrine is because it is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto religion’s God of Rice. I guess I adore it because I myself is a rice lover. Close friends know that given a few numbers of meal periods, I will go nuts if there would be no rice served in any of my meals.

smile …

After going around the beautiful shrine, me and my family headed towards right beside the shrine’s local village where there were quaint restaurants aligned along the narrow street. We entered one of the charming restos to have lunch. Luckily, my nephew cleverly ordered the specialty of the village, the Inari Sushi.

inari sushi with a bowl of ramen

yum!

Another landmark experience I had in Japan was my tasting of the authentic, original and genuine Inari sushi. I have tasted Inari sushi in the past but never in my wildest dream would I get the chance to eat this rice-stuffed dish in a tofu pouch in the place it was named after.

It was a no brainer! For me it was the best Inari Sushi!

Pinaghalong ganda, hanga at sarap!

A Siopao In Kobe

Posted on April 13, 2013 by heavenliner

Food has always been an integral part of my travels. Though I have a limited ability to explain my wondrous experience about food in all of my travels, I try as much as possible to describe it.

Just like what I just had. It`s about the tastiest siopao (pork meat buns) in the face of Kobe, Japan. Thanks to my niece Erika for bringing me and my family to have this amazing palatal experience. At first I had doubts when she told me that we should try the best pork meat buns in Kobe.

But when we reached the middle of Chinatown of Kobe, I was surprised. I was surprised to see that there was actually a long queue and these people were patiently waiting for their turn to have the chance to enter the very small yet infamous Rosyoki store.

blockbuster!!! pila balde ang peg!

waiting in line with kim and luis (two of my monster pamangkins)

how i wish i can bring all of these back to manila

packing the taste of heaven

happy and excited with our purchase (with erika & luis)

what a palatal surprise!!!

Rosyoki store only sells siopao (known in Japan as butaman). It is a bite-sized pork meat bun with taste that can actually bring you to the doors of heaven. On my first bite, I knew that Erika and the people who fell in line were all correct. It was one of the worthy waiting that I had to do in my life.

Walang sinabi ang asado ng mamunlok at chowking…

Hanami in Osaka

Posted on April 7, 2013 by heavenliner

Some people believe that blossoming of flowers at the start of spring is one of life’s simple pleasures. But not in Japan, because here in Japan, the blossoming of cherry blossoms (known as Sakua) is such a BIG DEAL! It is such a big deal that they were able to establish one fantastic tradition known as Hanami Picnics.

hanami

During limited number of weeks when the Sakura are in full bloom until the latter days when it falls of from its branches, people of Japan gather under the cherry blossom trees to watch and appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms. This tradition of barbeques, bento boxes and Japanese alcoholic drinks in the park ushers the start of colorful spring.

notice the ochiba (fallen sakura petal) at the left side of the blue plastic mat

me and my niece (japan’s ms. congeniality)

Today, I personally experienced what it is to experience an Hanami Picnic. Thanks to my niece (Japan’s Miss Congeniality) who brought me and my family along to the Hanami Party organized by her Brazilian-Japanese friend. Our picnic spot was at a park around the Osaka Castle in Osakajo. I can definitely say that Hanami is one rare experience. Yes I can have a picnic anytime in any part of the world, but this event is one authentic adventure.

Piknik na ibang level…

Happy Morning In Osaka

Posted on April 6, 2013 by heavenliner

Its my first morning on my second trip to Osaka, Japan. The mood is great. The morning is fine with cool drizzle outside.

I`m so happy to be back, I want to dance to this fine tune…

Ang soyah soyah…

My First Visita Iglesia

Posted on March 29, 2013 by heavenliner

I have been to Bangkok, Thailand three times. And in all those times I with friends tour their well known Buddhist temples in a day. I even coined it Visita Buddhista. This made a tinge of guilt because in my homeland and with my very own religion, I’m too lazy to pull off the Filipino Catholic Lenten tradition known as Visita Iglesia (Seven Churches Visitation).

But I’m guilty no more because in this year’s Holy Thursday, I have completed my very first Visita Iglesia. I did this pious tradition not with friends but with my family. We did not chose the grandest and tour-worthy churches and cathedrals found in Metro Manila but instead we settled on visiting the houses of prayers that are in a way close and connected to our hearts. Five of which are located in Pasay City, 1 in Makati and 1 in Manila.

Here they are…

The Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life

Located near SM Mall of Asia, my family calls this MOA Church. It’s literally is close to our family because it is the nearest church to Nengkoy’s house. That is why it is so obvious that it is the first church we visited.

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Church

This church is very special to me and my siblings. We consider this place of worship as the “Binyag Church” (Church of Baptism) because all of our catholic baptism rites when we were still infants were held in this very church.

San Rafael Parish Church

This is my family’s Parish Church. In 1962, this was the very church where the glorious wedding ceremony of my parents was held. Nengkoy was all smile when she entered and left this very quaint church, she feels like she’s so part of it. Also, this was the very church that I was scolded by a priest (mind you, it was during the homily) for wearing shorts when I heard a Holy Mass one early morning a couple of years back.

Sta. Clara De Montefalco Parish Church

This is the house of prayers of Nengkoy when she was a young girl studying in St Mary’s Academy.

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church

This one is the personal favorite of my nephew Luis. The adjacent catholic school is where he studied in high school. Anyway, I personally like the drama of this church… the holy cross was placed outdoor and visible indoor through a clear glass wall.

St. John Bosco Parish Church

This is the church where my elder sister and her husband claimed to have first met. Ewww super cheesy! As for me, I always wonder why every time I pray inside this church my prayers are in straight English. Is it the location, is it the minimalist modern interiors or is it the stylish well-dressed church goers? I don’t know why. (I think it’s the “pa-sosyal” in me. hahaha!)

Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church

This very old yet majestic church was the venue of my elder sister’s wedding. This church is a very popular church for Visita Iglesia aficionados. It was full packed! That is why when we entered to say our prayers the first thing I uttered was “Wow blockbuster!” Anyway, Our Lady of Remedies otherwise known as Malate Church is a special church for me. It is a stone throw away from my office. That is why this is the church I go to for me to say my morning prayer every time I came too early for work.

Nanikip ang dibdib ko sa bisitang yan hah! Muntik na ko matunaw!

A Letter to Akihito (Again)

Posted on March 27, 2013 by heavenliner

cherry blossoms from my last year’s adventure

Once again, to His Royal Highness who sits on the Chrysanthemum Throne,

Ohayou gozaimasu.

I, the Delicious Earthling is writing you again to let you graciously be aware that I will visit your splendid empire for the second time. No worries must be felt for I don’t intend to inflict harm nor wreak havoc towards your courteous dwellers.

In fact I, the Delicious Earthling, totally adored and fancied the experiences and adventures the last time I was in your delightful kingdom. However, in my upcoming trip one worry has been lingering since the time I decided to be back.

It’s your ever famous Cherry Blossoms. I learned and led to believe from various readings and manuscripts that the full bloom of these illustrious flowers has already fallen off the branches on the day of my arrival. Therefore and unlike my previous correspondence (press LINK) to you when I demanded three requirements that your dwellers need to ensure, I instead will be petitioning for only one single yet simple demand.

I want your kingdom to ensure that fresh Cherry Blossoms are still on the sturdy trees right in its proper branches. If not then I guess you will have to make use of your powers to impose that fresh cherry blossoms are glued and fixed on their respective branches.

I suggest you summon your people to stick and glue these flowers with cooked grains of your sticky tasty rice to keep it in their respective places. Otherwise, this will be the source of disappointment by the Delicious Earthling.

Your Comrade in Wealth,

The Delicious Earthling

nengkoy from last year’s trip

As yuswal di paiiwan ang Nengkoy

Flowers Feed The Soul

Posted on March 16, 2013 by heavenliner

There is a rare inspiring feeling when gazing upon the features of a flower. It is something that is not tangible and very difficult to explain. Flowers are beautiful creations that link us to the miracles of nature.

I don’t now but for me there is always something magical about the world of flowers. Flowers somehow fades or reduces the stresses and concerns of everyday life. It can actually feed your soul and make you incredibly alive, aware and totally animated.

So if you have the rare opportunity to see and smell the flowers, do it. Enjoy the experience before nature is engulfed in flames due to global warming and the upcoming end of days.

Using merely my cellphone’s camera, photos of this post were photographed when I had the opportunity to stay overnight at the beautiful and tranquil Sonya’s Garden located in Alfonso, Cavite.

Bulaklak sa banga! Pasok sa banga! Ang ganda no?

Harrison Plaza

Posted on January 27, 2013 by heavenliner

The Philippines boasts of its humongous shopping malls. Two of the biggest in the world can actually be found here (SM North Edsa and SM Mall of Asia). But there’s one mall I grew up going to. It’s Harrison Plaza. Growing up, this has been my family’s mall of choice during the 70s and 80s because of its accessibility since it is simply just at the borders of Pasay and Manila cities.

I am writing about this mall because I happen to bumped into a photo of how glorious Harrison Plaza was in the 70’s…

harrison plaza during the ’70s

This one-stop retail center is the first shopping mall in the country. It opened in 1976 and up until now is very much operational. Though it obviously needs some serious refurbishing to bring back its glory, Harrison Plaza is actually even older than the world’s worst airport NAIA Terminal 1 by 6 years.

harrison plaza today

Obviously, time has changed. It is no longer the mall of choice by the Filipinos. But going to Harrison Plaza does not entail and pressure a person to primp and gussy up (like when you would go to Rockwell, Greenbelt or Resorts World). You can simply go sporting your casual house clothes.

It is no longer the mall of the well-heeled and A-listers. Yet being so near to one of the Ivy-League-like universities of the land (De La Salle University), Harrison Plaza for sure has been visited at least once by these privileged souls. I suppose this is one place every Green Archer can’t inevitably get rid of during his fun yet busy college life – may it be a simple need for a cellphone fix, a school requirement purchase, a cheap lunch or a societal immersion to a lower to middle class bracket of the population.

Now that I am living 3 minutes away from Harrison Plaza, this mall has been my most convenient place in resolving my addiction to rash and unnecessary purchasing binges otherwise known as “shopping”.

Bakit walang estatwa o rebulto si Francis Burton Harrison sa mol na ‘to?

Japanese Shower Room Boots

Posted on January 13, 2013 by heavenliner

Prior to Christmas I promised myself that I would blog about all the gifts and presents I received. But I guess that would now be next to impossible because thankfully I was able to receive quite a ton of it. Writing each and every item I received would be too much for a task. For sure readers would get bored to dullness.

But last Christmas – receiving presents from a simple picture frame to lavish high tech gadget – there is one item I can’t resist writing about. It’s about the Japanese Shower Room Boots.

a unique christmas gift from denden… my own japanese shower room boots!

My nephew Den Den gave it to me after noticing that I have been so insanely fascinated by these boots. The first time I saw these type of footwear was during the first night of my family’s stay in a hotel at Osaka, Japan last year. I was so transfixed because we don’t have those in the Philippines.

my outrageous fashion statement! LOL

The first pair I saw (inside the hotel shower room) was plain white in color. I thought it was some sort of a plastic arinola (piss potty). But when I figured it out, I tried it on, laughed out loud and pondered if I can kick-off a fashion trend in Manila.

I think the purpose of these boots aside from keeping yourself from slipping on the floor tiles while doing your shower is to prevent the soles of your feet from touching the frigidly cold stone tiles of the shower room (especially during winter).

Though it will be silly to wear those here in Manila, these slippers will be an awesome keepsake on how I turned bonkers when I first encountered it. Until this plastic shower shoes becomes a fashion craze, it will for now be kept inside my treasure chest.

For the meantime, my feet will have to settle on the comfort of my indoor slippers which by the way is also Japanese branded.

my super comfy Muji indoor slippers

Sana ma-uso! LOL

Nengkoy

ruminations & travesties of the favorite yet naughty son of Nengkoy

Tag Archives: travel