Missing Bobs

Cafe Bobs chocolate cake and hot choco in Bacolod City.

Today I felt so light and carefree. Oops you might think I'm being paid for a sanitary napkin ad. But NO! I just wonder what could be better than organizing our home during this lazy afternoon. Then I started to check on my old externals and decided it might be time to bring them all together in one container. As I started to transfer my old pics on my Tera memories flashback as I look at my aging photos.

I greatly miss the company of Bobs. It's my sweet neighbor back then for eight years during college and working years at La Salle Avenue. What I like most about this shop is their Silvana de Cebu. Possibly it has gained more fans over the years or I might have been too slow to order it during my last visit in Bacolod. This goody below also goes with the same name but I obviously prefer the flat, round, chewy and buttercream flavored delight. Still they are good enough for me.

Silvanas at Bobs.

Health is Wealth

T waiting in the lobby.

T and I had a chance to express happiness for T's former office-mate who just had her baby girl. We met up in a comfy location in Sathorn district which gave us enough time to prepare a little surprise for the proud parents. Sadly we were on a rush so I forgot to photograph the pink bouquet and cute teddy.

T indulging with his favorite snack after the check up.

We were so thrilled by their happiness. At that instant we also decided to give ourselves a health check, before the year ends perhaps. Health is wealth! Thank you Lord for the unexpected blessing.

Exploring the Ancient City :: Phitsanulok 2

The very enterprising little boy. Though we can't fully comprehend what he was saying, surprisingly he made us bought most of his goods that day.
Maris brought us to Kaeng Song waterfalls for a lunch date with new found friends. It's a place were you get a good chance to eat out, relax, mingle, have a good time and appreciate nature.

Food! We had Somtam Thai (Thai papaya salad), Moo yang (roasted pork), Kai yang (roasted chicken) for our picnic lunch. Matched with fresh veggies and chili sauce. Yum!

And oh, the Kaeng Song waterfalls!

Hubby enjoyed the motorcycle ride and the company of thrill-seekers like us.

Too tired of the road trip. Now is the best time to relax. A couple of hours massage beside the Nan River and along the way to Phitsanulok Night Market.

Can't stop myself from clicking at each photo ops, like there's no turning back again.
Location of the old train station and the cotton candy man.

That You May Find

Everything happens for a reason.

***
Nan River, Phitsanulok.

Exploring the Ancient City :: Phitsanulok

Thinking of traveling could either be exciting or tiring. But it depends on how you see things that comes along your way. For me, getting a chance to explore places is a gift from God. I seek friendship everywhere and protection for a safe and smooth travel. Life is a constant journey. Nomads that we are.

Me and my husband were truly grateful for Maris. Our generous host and a dear friend that you can always count on. Thanks for guiding us around your kingdom.

Buddha image in Wat Yai viewing it from outside its doorstep and Chao Phraya Chakri Monument.

This tram showed us around Phitsanulok [pit-sa-nu-loke] downtown area and city attractions. A very relaxing way to get to know this Ancient City in less than an hour. Fare is 20 baht for children and 30 baht for Adults. Schedule routes on weekdays is at 9:00- 15:00 hours and weekends & holidays at 8:00 to 17:00 hours.

Back view of Wat Yai.

I love noticing how tuk-tuks evolve in design according to city/ province/ country in Southeast Asia. These unique tuk-tuks or local taxis were parked right beside the Nan River.

People offered their donations and asked for blessings in front of the Buddhist monk.

The shrine of King Naresuan the Great and another temple inside Wat Yai compound.

Pilgrims in need of shoes or slippers can find/buy it right outside the temple gates.

For many of the visitors, they consider each visit a lucky day to bet. So they pick their lottery tickets and have them blessed by the monks.

Of course a tour will never be complete without trying out some kanoms (Thai desserts) locally made in Phitsanulok. To be shared with friends and neighbors. On the left are different types of sweets and native delicacies and on the right are Sugar Cane saps placed on bamboo containers. Pure and simply natural.

***
For more information about the tour, you can inquire at Thai Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phitsanulok office at Tel. no. 0-5525-2742 to 3.

Practice Makes Perfect :: Black Sambo Recipe

Black Sambo treat in celebration of my Mother-in-law's birthday last 11th of August and my friend's (Kathryn) birthday too yesterday, 12th of August.

After so many years, I finally got reunited to my long lost love when I was young as fifteen. Haha! Seriously. This I learned from our Home Economics class in High School and it is famously called as Black Sambo. It's easy to cook. Here's how to do it.

BLACK SAMBO RECIPE

Ingredients:

WHITE LAYER
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin or 1 sachet of knox gelatin (you may add 1 more tbsp. if you choose to make it a bit intact unlike the one I made above, mine is a little softer that's why it slipped easily)
1/2 can condensed milk (too sweet? try a little lesser than 1/2)
1 can Nestle Cream (300ml) or 1 tetra pack of Nestle All Purpose cream (250 ml)

***
BLACK LAYER
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin or 1 sachet of knox gelatin
1/2 can evaporated milk (192.5g)
1/2 cup chocolate powder (most would prefer using Hersheys, in absence you can find whatever brand is available like Cadburry, Van Houten, Čokolada chocolate powders, etc.) you make it 1/3 cup of you like it a tad bitter like dark chocolates
1/4 cup sugar


Procedure:

For both white and black layers (do them separately):
1. Boil the unflavored gelatin on water.
2. Mix all the other ingredients with the dissolved gelatin.
3. Place on a molder. Chill.

When first layer is cool, do the next layer (black) and place the mixture above the white layer. Be sure to bookmark this page for easier reference! (^_^)

Serve cold. Enjoy your Black Sambo!

Black Sambo placed on an oval molder.

Poser! Dig This.

I find this really cute vid in Youtube. Might as well try a few faces and gestures soon! (^_^)

Little Darlings

Meet the little darlings of our family.

Caity. The cutie who always loves adventure.

Anzel. The baby who is now a lady.

Simplicity

Simplicity is a virtue often ignored.
{Cécile Dias}

***

I am a homebody or perhaps a nobody. (^_^) I only go out of the house if necessary. Like doing the grocery or engaging on some outdoor exercise. Just this week, T had to go for a dinner meeting and so I was left alone. At times I would watch DVDs but now that we gave it away, since we felt that it wasn't too useful for us, my second option was to experiment new menus.

I'm getting a bit conscious of my bulging tummy so I chose to prepare a quick salad for my dinner. The ingredients consisted of cucumber, iceberg lettuce, crab sticks, cheese, raisins, almonds, diced crunchy bread and Caesar's salad dressing.

A good friend of mine, Cécile noticed my FB shoutout and she left those words above which gave me the idea to look for a possible relevant photo. I took this shot during one of my visits in my hometown. It has always been a habit of mine to go for an off-road adventure with family and meet simple people when I am around M-town. I love talking to them because they are full of stories about life's lessons.

Warrior of Light :: quote 4

"A warrior of light never resorts to trickery,
but he knows how to distract his opponent."
{Paulo Coelho}


Photo taken in Lumpini Park, Bangkok.

Warrior of Light :: quote 3

"A warrior of light does not rely on strength alone,
he makes use of his opponents energy too."
{Paulo Coelho}

Featured photo: Muay Thai boxing.
Watch the live action every Sundays at the back of Mo Chit BTS parking lot.
I took this shot sometime last year in 2009.

More Discoveries in Siem Reap

T bargaining with the sales lady at the market near Angkor Wat.

I noticed that almost every goods in Cambodia are sold in $1 with a conversion rate of 40 Thai Baht per dollar. Sometimes I find it cheap but actually the exchange rate is more higher than the normal bank rate of 34 Thai Baht only. Although it is quite convenient for tourists to use USD currency in shopping, more likely you will avoid ending up with less worries in disposing small bills like the Cambodian Riel. One tip though, if the salesperson tells you that what you are trying to buy is $1, don't forget to haggle. The most, you can get three pieces of those goods for only $2.

Khmer tuktuks in Siem Reap. Wider and more comfortable than Thai tuktuks.

You can find this motorized rickshaws everywhere in Cambodia. Fare price as usual starts from $1 up depending on the distance.

T watching soccer game projected on LCD screens along with fellow FIFA fanatics.

Unlike in Philippines, FIFA was aired live on Cambodia's local channels that time. Most of the people were out on the streets cheering for their teams. The match was between Spain vs Switzerland that day.

Looking Back

T waving the Thai flag.

Not too long ago, this was the vibrant scene in Victory Monument. This photo was taken during this year's rally in Bangkok. Neutral individuals have responded to campaign for peace in Thailand through the widely used social network-- Facebook. My husband happily waved the Thai flag for the first time in his life.

"Together, We Can" was the theme for this cause. People cleaning up Rajaprasong area.

Following the end of May 2010's political chaos, another group has organized a massive clean up operation within areas that were occupied by the Red shirts. Still the news spread out via FB. And I, as socially involved, wasn't spared of getting thrilled and so I inquired who among on my network was joining. Armed with brooms, brushes and rubber gloves, the middle-class Thais and non-Thais removed the remains of the protest. Hoping the city would be as livable as it was before.

***
Documenting such events simply satisfies my passion. Peace everyone!

Tummy Fillers :: Siem Reap

They call this delightful menu as Cambodian salad. It is made out of Banana flowers, peanuts and mint herbs topped with shrimps.

Discovering some Cambodian cuisines at the Cambodian Kitchen Restaurant along Night Bazaar road in Siem Reap. I love the Khmer palate as it resembles to Philippine flavor which is an even mixture of sweet, salty and sour combo. Most of their foods are not spicy, as in literally without any chili at all. Here's a few of what I have savored.

Fish with Cashew Nuts and Capsicums.

Khmer Spring Rolls. More meatier and tastier than Thai Spring Rolls.

The flavorful Khmer Soup and Carrot & Watermelon shakes.

Exploring the Ancient City :: Angkor Wat

Granny with her grand daughter, collecting water bottles along the Cruciform Terrace.

The thought of seeing Cambodia's magnificent archaeological treasure -- the Angkor Wat is something I desire. It was only last June that I had a quick chance to visit the Holy City with no other than my dear husband. We went there for a visa run as our old visas had reached its end and it has to be replaced with a new type.

Our entry point was in Poipet via Sisophon which is just about 160km away from Siem Reap City. The main transportation going there is thru private taxis which cost around $35-$50 (1 way) with 3-4 hours travel. Surprisingly the roads are well paved but alas, speed limit never exceeds 60 kph.

Finding a hotel or a guesthouse to stay that very same day was so easy. Sadly I can't remember the name of the place. I reckon, it was right beside the signage of Siem Reap Night Bazaar.

T and I, in front of the Battle of Lanka corner.

It was an unbelievable experience for us when we went there. But I believe that if things are meant for you, nothing can go against it. We didn't realize we were running out of time. It was 4:30 pm when we came. The tour counter had closed for the day tour inside Angkor Wat. I went to seek suggestions from the guide and politely explained that we were leaving early morning back to Poipet. The lady suggested that by 5:30 pm, the temple gates are open to public and the $20 entrance fee is being waived. Whoa, big savings! The only setback is that the surrounding tall jungle makes Angkor Wat a bit dark and flat for photographs near sunset. Still we're thankful for the great opportunity of catching a glimpse of this 'must see' destination.

Sunset in Angkor Wat. To causeway and entrance.

Wait, here's the catch. Since we were the only ones left behind the guard on duty talked to us in Khmer and T replied in Thai. Weird huh? Fortunately he (the guard) understood the language and was fluent in English too. He bargained to us that if we were interested he could show us around for a tip of 300 Thai Baht. Oh, we were so ecstatic by the modest offer. I gladly handed out the tip and within 20 minutes we finished touring the North, East and South tower windows. I was breathing heavily during most of the climbs on its narrow steps which reminds my body that it needs much exercise this time. For the most part, we were so blessed to reach our goal that day (^_^).

Inside the Temple

Warrior of Light :: quote 2

"All the world's roads lead to the heart of the warrior;
he plunges unhesitatingly into the river of passions always flowing through his life."
{Paulo Coelho}

Photo taken in Kaeng Song Waterfalls, Pitsanulok province.

Warrior of Light :: quote 1

"A warrior of light knows that he/she has much to be grateful for." {Paulo Coelho}

Making ends meet. I met this skilled woman in Aranyaprathet (Thai border) or Poipet (Cambodian border) doing her daily routine, selling a native delicacy along the road.