sojourn – Page 2 – Rich Cervales Blog

Duxton Road

October 30, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

In one of my photowalks for the Mid- Autumn Festival in Singapore 2012, I encountered Duxton Road in Tanjong Pagar. It\’s one hidden gem for dining that I wasn\’t able to experience at all. It\’s either I was too busy to remember or too stingy to give in. Pfft! So here I am checking my old photos sour-graping.

Anyway, there\’s always a next time and I\’m posting so everybody can come and see what it has offer.

There\’s this quaint little bookstore along the way called Littered With Books. The cozy two storey high haven makes me want to stay there the whole day and just read books!

At the time that I was there, they don\’t allow photo-taking. According to customers who reviewed them in yelp. Their book prices are cheaper than other bookstores that gives you reason to come back over and over. The staff are very courteous and helpful.

After exiting the store, I was doing some shots when this guy just came out of nowhere. He asked for to be photographed, quickly said thanks and walked off.

They appear to be looking for something…hhmmmm

Further into the streets are some offices

I think Clarence worked here, if my memory serves me right.

Bistros, pub, winery…I see most of the people in this side of town are yuppies.

The former Berjaya Hotel now called The Duxton for they have changed management. I like the rustic charm of it. Who would have now a shop house can effectively be a hotel structure.

An architectural heritage

Too bad I wasn\’t able to come back at all. Duxton Hill has also an interesting wine and dine vibe. This place is excellent for after work hours chillaxing and hang-out.

Till next time

XOXO

Around San Diego

October 22, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

I\’ve been here in Chula Vista for more than 2 months. If anybody asks me how\’s my stay, my quick reply \”Love the weather!\” Seriously the weather here is awesome! No wonder my husband is proud of himself for retiring here. It\’s fall season now. The sweater weather makes me excited of wearing jackets, boots and thermal tights.

Here\’s some snapshots of some of the places I\’ve been to. San Diego is huge! It may take me a lifetime.

In National City there\’s Jolibee. There are lots of Pinoys residing here. That\’s why Seafood City, Red Ribbon and point-point (turo-turo) joints are everywhere.

I just want to emphasize on what is going on the side. According to Seff, the ongoing construction is one of the governments efforts to decrease traffic due to increasing population.

There\’s one highway that they name Filipino-American Highway. I think it\’s near National City. But it\’s not this freeway.

The Iconic Rooftop of Hotel Del Rey in Coronado Island

Breaker\’s Beach. The quiet and secured part of the Coronado Beach inside the Naval Base.

Hikers and cyclists paradise. The mountain range near our home.

Of course! How will I forget SHOPPING. I will post a separate entry for it. I\’m with my sister-in-law Ate Marilou. She accompanied me for some good old bargain hunting.

I\’m looking forward for more food trip, hiking and sight-seeing in San Diego. I\’m taking my time.

XOXO

Mid Autumn Festival

October 3, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Mid-Autumn Festival in SG was about to finish this October 4. Too bad my eyes can\’t feast on the colorful decorations for this year\’s festival. Last year, I decided to go for a photowalk for some sensory overload of colors and lights. This is one of the perks living in Everton Park, I get to enjoy Chinatown anytime that I want.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Lanterns are all over the temple premises.

From a nearby store. Reminds me of Mr. Shooli of the 90\’s show Mongolian Barbecue

I remember one Feng-shui expert said, this cat is waving to attract luck to \”to come into the business\”.

The stretch of South Bridge Road. The lanterns are like little candies hanging.

Northeast Line MRT Chinatown exit

This looks like a school project of some kiddos.

Along Eu Ton Sen street. They have longer garlands of lanterns

Porcelain Hotel made a huge canvas out of their \”side wall\”

It\’s like a design out of a china plate.

These are delicious but very expensive! I\’m not sure if these are the bakkwa.

Giant Fruits

You could also check-out the Clarke Quay decorations for MAF. They have more designs pertaining to houses, animals, flowers/plants. They are located along the bridge and the riverside very suitable for photo taking together with decors.

XOXO

Malacca, Malaysia Part 2

October 2, 2013UncategorizedLeave a Comment

More of Jonker Street sights…

This sign is just outside Jonker Street

Father of Bodybuilders in Malaysia

On my way to Melaka Sentral, the bus passed on a huge golden statue of Datuk Wira. He\’s still very active and prominent even at the age of 85.

Started my sightseeing trail from the Dutch Square by hiring a tricycle rickshaw. Bad move for me. But my pedicab driver is nice if I look at it on the bright side ( and I forgot his name…shoot!). Malacca is his bread and butter. Been working for 30 years as a rickshaw driver.

The Flamboyant Pedicabs – my own term for this colorful bunch.

My Pedicab Driver

Riverside Sights…

Too bad I wasn\’t able to avail of the Melaka River Cruise. I heard that the sunset-dusk-early evening ride are the best. You get to see everything at sunset then just enough to see the lights of the establishments in the evening.

Maritime Museum

Furthermore to the trail…

A Famosa Fortress

Walking through here will lead you to the path going to St. Paul Church and other museums.

From the inside.

I\’m fascinated with these huge tablets with inscriptions and symbols.

As I went down from the St.Paul church. The Malacca Sultanate Palace was open. So I grabbed the opportunity. I think the entrance fee is 1 RM.

I\’m happy I was given the chance to visit the Malacca.

Church of St. Francis Xavier

Till next time Malacca

XOXO

Singapore Food Trip: Bao Today

September 27, 2013Uncategorized2 Comments

If you\’re in Orchard Road and doing some late shopping. Try stopping by Bao Today for some affordable dimsum treats.

Their place in Somerset is quite small. So I\’ll be guessing they\’re packed during lunch and dinner time.

I find their service slow even if they\’re not full house.

I ordered their congee. Nothing special. They served it a bit cold. But my former roomie Sharon liked their dimsum. I had a taste of it and indeed it was good. I liked their drinks though. I had the avocado shake and I forgot the name of the blue drink. The blue drink is delicious! It has this bubble gum-like taste that goes well with the longan or lychee on top. Gula Melaka (coconut sugar if I\’m not mistaken) as sweeteners.

I recommend trying their dimsum since it\’s their specialty. The shakes are also great. Service is average. Price range are affordable as compared to the surrounding restaurants available within the Somerset ground floor vicinity. In general, it\’s not really memorable. I would see myself stopping by if I\’m shopping late and I need some food recharging.

Rating 2/5

Malacca, Malaysia Part 1

September 25, 2013Uncategorized2 Comments

Malacca (Malay: Melaka) is the capital of the state of Malacca, on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Visiting Malacca is a unique experience with a rich historical and cultural background from previous Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. The city centre was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2008, along with Georgetown, Penang. – SOURCE

I\’ve made this day trip to Malacca because if I waited for a friend to plan a trip there it will take forever. So another solo trip for the lakwatsera in me.

I can\’t pursue an overnight trip because I don\’t have a few days off from work. In my mind if I don\’t do it now, I won\’t be seeing Malacca in the next few years. So I booked a ticket online via easibook costs 45 SGD (2 way ticket). From Everton Park, I hailed a cab going to Golden Mile Complex in Beach Road. My bus going to Malaysia was Sri Maju. The ride was a pleasant one. A/C is working fine, reclining seats are comfortable. We\’re not allowed to use the TV and games console because I remember we just paid for coach seats. No problem with me, just as long as I have my iPod I\’ll be fine. The best part was there\’s only three passengers plus the driver. Yes!

After immigration clearance, you\’re set to Malacca. The trip is approximately 4 hours long including the mandatory stopovers. I find the duration of the trip fast. Fair enough for a big bus and no traffic along the road. But I\’m guessing if you have a private car you can reach Malacca 3 hours from SG (or less?).

Our last stop was Melaka Sentral. From there I searched for the Bus # 17 going to the Heritage Site. It\’s located in the front area of the shopping center. There are lots of people waiting for that bus when I came. Queuing is non-existent. You have to squeeze your way through the people, skin-to-skin. The bus was filled up, literally. I stayed at the back so it\’s not that crowded. I paid between 1-2 RM and you have to pay cash to the driver.

I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw this…I\’m on the right track! Yehey!

Bus #17 will stop at the Dutch Square near the fountain and clock tower. And off you go to explore the city!

I was able to come inside the church. Photo-taking is not allowed but the interiors are simple and the walls are mostly white. I\’m not quite sure what time the open and close from the public.

Christ Church is an 18th-century Anglican church in the city of Malacca, Malaysia. It is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia and is within the jurisdiction of the Lower Central Archdeaconry of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. —Source

Dutch Square

Stadthuys was closed for it was undergoing renovation.

Plaza Roundabout

The Tourist Information Center is very accessible from the Dutch Square (you just need to cross the street). If you\’re a bit lost of where to go and what to do, just head to the center. There are computers with internet connection, brochures, booklets and some guidemaps.

For me, especially if you\’re on a budget the best thing to do: follow the Heritage Trail and walk all the way. It may look or sound far (when you ask for direction) but the TRUTH is major tourist spots are within walking distances (refer to the map above and see the yellow colored area).

I realized that I made an expensive mistake of trying-out the flamboyant pedicabs. While trekking through the city I was like \”Ang lalapit lang pala sana nilakad ko na lang.\”

The Dutch influence has definitely made a mark in this city.

To be continued…

XOXO

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