Revisited Ayala Center Mall

Aloha Everyone,

It was sunny and bright and hot this morning. The cab we took was newer with AC. There were seatbelts but the buckle was hidden and thus unusable. Maintaining my positive attitude can be like Zen training.

Ayala Center Mall is bigger than the Ayala IT Park Mall. One can go around each floor using escalators and it’s a good walk. 

Approaching lunch time, J.J. was starting to look for a new restaurant. I was looking for something that we both liked and relatively healthy. West ended up going to an old standby. At Italianni’s, the dish we were looking for was not on the menu. Not to give up so easily, we showed photos I had taken to our server. She said that it was taken off the menu, but due to the popular demand, pasta with halibut can be ordered.

It was excellent! J.J. and I might go back once more before the two of us return to Makati.

Neither one of us could recall the exact place where I purchased my tiny shoulder bag. No name or manufacturer’s info is available. It’s made of a rough leather. It is heavy and the straps are too long. It is a time for me to upgrade.

New cross body bag I purchased at The Travel Club Store has a JanSports label. The cost was 2,500 pesos or less than US$50. I will make good use of it.

Aloha -- Cathi

Tropical Rain with Intermittent Wind

Aloha Everyone,

Woke up to steady rain. We scrapped our original plan to take a taxi to The Terraces, Ayala Center Mall and stayed close to our hotel.

Anytime Fitness, located as we enter the Ayala IT Park Mall, the place was unusually packed with people.

Quiet Place where you sit on carpeted floor was also popular with mostly young adults who easily could sit down on the floor.

Many were window shopping although stores had signage posted inviting pedestrians for rainy day specials.

Walking around different wings of the mall to get some mileage.

J.J. suggested to try a Japanese restaurant that is just a few steps away from the covered walkway. 

The menu was limited. We both ordered Tempura Teishoku. The miso soup was served hot. J.J. enjoyed the Japanese rice.

Aloha -- Cathi

SM Seaside City, Cebu

Aloha Everyone,

We are puzzled that our hotel’s breakfast buffets selection is again limited. Anyway, 40 minutes of walking on a treadmill is a great way to start a day. Did two loads of laundry before we went for our outing to SM Seaside City.

Located close to the Basak Pardo Casino, hotels & shopping malls, the SM Seaside City caters to a middle to upper middle-class market. No real outstanding restaurants for our lunch place. J.J. selected Zubu Chon, a Filipino restaurant specializing in Lechon and other specialties of the region.

Mongo beans soup was excellent.  Gambas, small shrimps prepared in oil was good. Crab Rellano and fried lumpia ubod smelled too fishy for me. My favorite, bibingka made of cassava, was wonderfully tasty although not a healthy choice. 

If I am to explain my impression of Zubu Chon, the restaurant’s toilet was very clean, and it had direct ocean view from its window!

For dinner, we walked across to a place J.J. and I’ve been curious about. It is cafe and restaurant called Teology.  Somehow neither one of us translated the Filipino word to Theology. Food was one time only place. At least our curiosity was satisfied.

Aloha -- Cathi

Happy Valentine’s Day

Aloha Everyone,

Every morning, I first survey the buffet before planning my healthy breakfast. Today, there was no taho and sago, no croissants nor whole wheat bread. For J.J., there was no arroz caldo. Both of us made do with an interesting array of other food.

To shake off my stiffness from a long car ride, I walked on a treadmill for 40 minutes. Our room attendant informed us that hand towels have not been dried. In the gym, there was also no blue colored hand towels. I used an extra large pool towel to wipe my hand and face. The treadmill I use is not designed to hang large heavyweight towels. Additional efforts of preventing the towel from dropping on the floor made my workout more difficult.

J.J.’s dental appointment lasted about an hour. This dentist examined and treated two teeth. No mention of root canal nor further treatments are required. J.J. said that the doctor was very professional. The cost was 4,000 pesos or less than US$73.  The fee includes cleaning.

To celebrate his great dental visit, we went to Rico’s Lechon. Cebu is famous for excellent roasted pig. J.J. ordered mongo soup for me. He thoroughly liked lechon and tuna belly. 

My daily memo asked, “What is the ideal Valentine’s date for you?” My response: Being able to spend the day with J.J.

Aloha -- Cathi 

Excursion to Malabuyoc to Visit Mike and Lani Johnson

Aloha Everyone,

Malabuyoc according to the 2020 census had a population of less than 20,000 inhabitants. Due to its shallow water, the area is perfect for snorkeling and boating. More recently Westerners including Americans, French, Germans and Australians have been renting beach homes. In the “main street” of Malabuyoc, the foreigners walked among the locals making the town appear quite international.

Our day excursion took a total of 10 hours. We hired a private car with a driver which supposed reduced our travel time by 2 hours. Well, that didn’t happen. Drive to Malabuyoc pronounced “Moalboal” was long. J.J. had met Mike, an American originally from Spokane, WA on their expat’s forum, but this is the first time they meet face to face.

Mike and his wife Lani are very welcoming. Lani had prepared a large feast of mostly seafood plus cooked vegetables for us. I later learned that Mike had asked J.J. if we have any dietary restrictions. 

Our initial introduction was awkward. One of their 3 dogs was extremely eager to greet visitors. He came rushing just as I informed Mike that I am allergic to animals with fur. (Or their saliva). After securing his dogs in one of their bedrooms, we sat down for lunch. J.J.’s favorite large shrimps, 2 different types of fish were beautifully arranged and very tasty.

Lots of interesting stories to share. Mike and Lani purchased the house and the lots pretty much in a move-in condition. Two years ago, a super typhoon devastated the municipality. 

Mike and Lani’s home suffered damages including roof, boat landing area and perimeter supporting walls. He told us that they were very fortunate to be able to purchase the property. Today most owners, especially oceanfront lots are only being leased for new resorts developments.

After spending a delightful 3 hours with Mike and Lani, we reluctantly left for another 3+ hours on the road.

I was surprised to learn that I have been to Cebu previously. When our boys were small, we took a holiday at a private beach resort called Argao. That is where we first met our dear friends from Italy. Since then, over the years, we have seen each other in Italy as well as in Honolulu several times.

Hopefully this is the beginning of our friendship with Mike and Lani. Our driver, Loyd was introduced by Mike. He was very familiar with the route. On our way back, he pointed to his house which is also in Malabuyoc. Loyd was calm when sudden downpours pelted the windshield of his car. He told us that there is no streetlight but he knows his way. J.J. showed our gratitudes by giving Loyd a large tip. The two of us were so tired. We had hot soup and an Italian style pasta meal at the restaurant next door and went to bed shortly thereafter.

Aloha -- Cathi