China: Chen’s Mapo Tofu

Chen's Famous Mapo Tofu

Tofu has been one of my favorite dishes and whenever I had a chance to eat at a local Chinese Restaurant, I would sometimes order a Mapo Tofu. It’s one of my favorite Chinese dish with tofu, minced beef swimming in the red sea of chili and spicy sauce. This fiery dish has also been popular around the world. When we were in Chengdu, China we made sure not to miss eating Mapo Tofu on where the dish was actually created – at Chen’s Mapo Tofu Restaurant.

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Vietnam: Exploring Sung Sôt Cave

Aside from cruising the numerous karst islands of Ha Long Bay, another activity along this UNESCO World Heritage Site is spelunking. There are a number of cave systems on some of the thousands of islands dotting the bay. On our first day of exploration, we were able to visit one of the popular caves at the center island of the bay called Sung Sôt Cave. Found on Bo Hòn Island, the cave has also been known as the Amazing Cave or Cave of Surprises.

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Coron: Scenic Kayangan Lake

Kayangan Towering Lime Stones

Dubbed as the Cleanest Lake in Asia, Kayangan Lake in Coron, Palawan is one of those must visit sites in the area. It’s a true gem if you ask me. It’s hard not to know this place since DOT has plastered most of it’s familiar Kayangan Bay shots on its Philippines promotional materials. Turquoise ocean waters, towering scenic lime stones and crystal clear blue lake. What more adjectives can I describe this place on what many may considers a slice of island paradise.

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Vietnam: Ha Long Bay Images

Bay of the Descending Dragons is such a dramatic phrase. It’s like going into a mythical world where magic and mythical creatures still exist. Quite unlikely in this day and age, but Ha Long Bay, which literally means the same phrase can be a good setting for a fantasy movie. This karst filled bay found in Quảng Ninh province in Vietnam, 170km east of Hanoi, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Let us go on a photographic journey in this natural wonder.

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China: News from Chengdu

Bedazzled at the sounds and lighshows at Tian Fu Plaza

During our backpacking expedition in South West China, I’m always on the lookout for fellow kababayans which we may have crossed path with on our journey. I know its a sign of missing home a bit but being in a place for days where you only hear foreign languages being spoken, it’s a big relief to hear and see a fellow Pinoys along the way. Unfortunately throughout our 11 days in China, we only caught a couple who we heard spoke in Tagalog. Wasn’t able to took to them though since they quite a distance already. Few weeks after I posted Charming Chengdu, hearing a Pinoy living and working in Chengdu was still a relief even if I’m no longer there. I wanted to know the conditions there right now after the earthquake so I asked John, a Filipino Architect living and working in Chengdu.

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Coron: Banol Beach Beauty

Transparency in blue. Banol Beach Coron

I’m tempted not to write anything here but let the pictures speak for themselves. One thing is for sure. Coron has beautiful beaches. Aside form the towering lime stones and a number of islands its easy to just lay around on one corner of the islands with fine white sand, crystal blue waters and the sun. On our island hopping trip, we told our boatman to go opposite where the crowd is. At that time, we heard there were several groups touring in Coron. So our first stop was the Skeleton Wreck Site and Banol Beach.

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