In our (much) younger years hot and spicy food was something we were not so thrilled about. A bottle of Tabasco sauce was guaranteed to strike terror into our hearts. All that changed in a fortnight on a trip to the Middle East more than 25 years ago.
Thailand used to be one of our most-visited Asian countries during the late 1990s to early 2000s, traveling there a number of times each year as part of our former work. One of the things we appreciate about the country is its cuisine. It’s one of the major reasons why we always look forward to a visit to the Land of Smiles.
Finally, after seven months of silence, we’re back into blogging. Maybe not as prolific as before due to some limitations but we’re definitely chomping at the bit to share some of our experiences. Nina had a mild case of Covid-19 late April which healed in no time. Leo’s infection, however, became critical and he ended up staying for almost 4 months in the hospital and almost lost his life in the process.
Ever since a month-long stint in the United Arab Emirates back in the ‘90’s we’ve become raving fans of Middle Eastern food. During this ongoing pandemic it has been our top choice for food deliveries.
These days you don’t have to travel to Vietnam to enjoy authentic Vietnamese food. Vietnamese immigrants have opened restaurants and food stalls in various parts of the world to cater to lovers of Vietnamese cuisine. However, our many visits to Vietnam dating to as far back as 22 years ago allowed us to appreciate its culture and most specially its food more.
Several years ago an American colleague narrated a culinary encounter in one of the countries where our organization was operating. Over dinner he told our local counterparts how he would eat shrimp by severing its head and sucking the juices out. The locals looked at him in utter disgust. And all the while they were feasting. On boiled grasshoppers. A dish that even the late great Anthony Bourdain couldn’t swallow.
At home for more than a month now, with the National Capital Region here in the Philippines in lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we sorely miss dining at a place closer to nature but just outside Metro Manila. Invariably, one such location that comes to mind is a café nestled in the highlands of... Continue Reading →
Meeting friends over coffee or simply enjoying a cup of latte has been a problem recently as coffee shops at malls in the metro are almost always full by the time we get there. But, on a visit to a bank in downtown Pasig recently, we were surprised to discover a chic but roomy café... Continue Reading →
Bauang, La Union, used to be a magnet for beach goers in the 1970s but with the discovery of white sand beaches all over the country, beach combers have flocked to other destinations over the years. But beginning sometime in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, visitors started flocking to another town further up north: San Juan. Their primary motive: surfing.
The town of Liliw sits along the foot of Mount Banahaw, tucked away in a remote corner of the province of Laguna. Despite becoming famous in recent years for its footwear-making industry, it remains a small and charming town situated quite a distance from the major highways of Southern Luzon. It was no small surprise... Continue Reading →
Someone described it as "hell on the outside and heaven on the inside." Another likened eating one to “sitting on the toilet while eating your favorite ice cream.” At least those guys liked the fruit’s taste. Others weren’t as generous. Henri Mouhot, the French naturalist and explorer who popularized the ruins of Angkor to the... Continue Reading →
When visiting the northeastern towns of Laguna province or the coastal town of Real in Quezon, we almost always take the so-called backdoor route along the foothills of the Sierra Madre, rather than the busier southern route through the South Luzon Expressway. Not only is it shorter from our place in Taguig, it’s also more... Continue Reading →
Having traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South Asia several years ago as part of our work, we’ve been exposed to these regions’ various cuisines. So when several restaurants offering fare from these countries began mushrooming in Metro Manila a few years back we could easily satisfy our cravings whenever we miss... Continue Reading →
In a previous post we mentioned Dumaguete as having one of the densest concentrations of cafes and restaurants in the country. This ranges from hole-in the-wall types and small food stalls to diners, local cafes, restaurant chains and fancy dining places. Our only problem was choosing which place to go with our limited time in... Continue Reading →
Our trip to Cagbalete Island cut short by a family emergency, we drove straight for home once we disembarked from our boat at Mauban port past 1PM. It was not yet dark when we reached San Pablo City and were contemplating having dinner at one of the gas stations along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).... Continue Reading →
A visit to the roadside seafood market of Tignoan in Real, Quezon province reminded us about a similar trip to a market in Bantayan Island, Cebu years ago. The various fish, crustaceans and other marine animals for sale here seemed better fit for an aquarium than for the dinner table. At Real, you can buy... Continue Reading →
The Shoestring Diaries 
Very informative and mouth watering post in more ways than one. I better look for some endangered labuyo to plant.…
Thanks Cherryl!
Thanks!
Awesome
Very interesting post and your photographs are beautiful, wishing you happy future travels🙏🔆