Active Day with Good & Not-so Good Outcomes

Aloha Everyone,

Marita had a great time on her recent trip to India. She said that there were 10 of them in total. All are her friends and former colleagues in the hotel business, with the exception of a sister of a friend and a neighbor. J.J. and my trip to India was limited to Delhi. Marita recommends that we should try to see Taj Mahal once in our lifetime. It is more stunning than any photographs you’ve seen.

Up to now, my desire to go to India has been limited to practicing yoga at its source. Our get together with Marita was brief. She was on her way to another engagement.

5pm. Arrived 12 minutes to spare at the dental office. J.J.’s appointment was squeezed between regular patients. The first appointment the two of us had with this dentist was wonderful. She was pleasant and allocated sufficient time for us.

Granted today’s appointment for J.J. was a last minute squeeze.  There was over an hour’s wait before he was seen by the doctor.  If our first appointment was a purpose of marketing, today’s was all business. Instead of fillings for two small cavities, she suggested that JJ should have root canal. She still had more patients waiting. J.J. just had her do one temporary filling, paid his bill in cash, and we left.

Later he received an email with his upcoming appointments starting February 17, the day we are scheduled to be back in Makati.

Good outcomes include our favorite dishes at familiar restaurants. I also walked 5.4 miles or 13,907 steps while waiting for J.J.

Aloha -- Cathi

Awkward Non-English Translations

Aloha Everyone,

The staff at Seda BGC were very apologetic. They seemed even embarrassed to tell us that they won’t be able to call Uber for us. It was one of those silly hotel policy that prohibited them from assisting us since we’d already checked out. I jokingly said to J.J. that had we known this policy, we would have been able to arrange for Uber to pick us up at exactly at 10:50 am, 10 minutes prior to our time of check out :—/

Whenever there’s a rule, people could be resourceful. Our Uber driver arrived in 3 minutes and he dropped us off at Holiday Inn Express in Makati about 20 minutes later. J.J. paid him US$4 including a generous tip. 

Greeted with “welcome back” from security guards to front desk who facilitated our check-in process was a good feeling. It took us no more than 10 minutes before we were in our room. WiFi was working immediately. 

The two of us had to take care of several things prior to including making J.J.’s dental appointment. 

J.J. and I were both short of our daily goals of our walking. Had a steaming hot Vietnamese Pho dinner was a good way to end our transfer day.

Following are 3 awkward English translation by non-English speakers.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our Final Week at Seda BGC - Dining-in and Out

Aloha Everyone,

Our visit to Venice Mall in BGC was quite an eye opener. Since less than half year ago, the mall has undergone significant changes. Mainly due to opening of higher floors and bringing established chain restaurants, there are some positives, but it also forced some smaller businesses to shut down.

J.J. paid 20 peso for a small pouch of crushed corn to feed pigeons. Very aggressive and famished, the birds jumped on JJ and others.

500 peso per adult for gondola rides were popular. Children are free as long as they are under a specified height and with an adult.

The two of us fondly recalled the quality and the service of Rialto. Unfortunately we saw that Rialto was hearing its Swan Song. Food was so-so. The place looked shabby with Christmas tree still standing in a corner. We were the only customers.

BreadTalk owned by Singaporean Chinese man, George Quek is one of the fastest franchise operations expanding into Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East. Individual sandwiches and buns filled with sausage or cream and cheese are all priced below US$.50. Affordable treat for many.

Hana Maruken Ramen is a popular chain of simple ramen eatery in Japan. Food is the main reason for you enter this tiny restaurant. J.J.’s comment on spicy noodle soups that found its origin in Osaka Japan was good.

Aloha - Jeff

Return to Mitsukoshi Mall

Aloha Everyone,

Changing our familiar route could offer a chance to see new attractions such as unique architectural designs, parking lot wall paintings and Urban Farming. Sudden and big rain drops got my iPhone and sunglasses wet just as we walked into the Mitsukoshi Mall.

J.J. wanted to eat in a more upscale place than the soba shop we enjoyed on our previous visit. Sunday noon, restaurants were getting filled. Our first choice was promising. J.J. selected 5 individual dishes. Our server said, “I’m sorry ma’am/sir. You have to order one hot pot before you can order individual dishes.”

We’ve never heard of such a ridiculous rule. Rather than argue with an employee, we thanked him, stood up and exited. The restaurant immediately next door was called Putien, a Singaporean style dining place. Of the 4 dishes J.J. ordered, my favorite was the multi-layered tofu with vegetables.

Turnip marinated appetizer in orange juice wasn’t to our liking but since we unwrapped the plastic covering and tried a tiny piece each, we were charged 50 pesos for it.

The two of us also walked by the Samsung Galaxy AI Festival and local firemen dressed in colorful uniforms who could’ve been there as participants or observers.

Aloha -- Cathi

Hair Salon MNL and Jones Bistro & Bakery

Aloha Everyone,

Hair Salon MNL is located on the second floor of a commercial building in BGC Ayala. It has great reviews. I figured even if 50% of them were solicited comments from family and friends, at least we should check it out. Besides the salon is only a 10 minutes walk from Seda BGC.

After our appointments, we had our lunch at Jones Bistro & Bakery, also just a kitty corner from the hair salon. 

Extensive menu promoting Saturday Brunch, popular Asian snack items were presented on their restaurant app or in our case, on a printed menu. 

J.J. ordered Haianese Chicken Rice with a side of Chinese Siomai. I went for a vegan dish with eggs and flatbread. My choice was more for picture taking. Needless to say, mine was a poor choice.

Aloha -- Cathi

Lunch at Mary Grace Cafe

Aloha Everyone,

There are three Mary Grace Cafe restaurants in BGC. All of them are popular and luckily they are within 15-20 minutes walking distance from our hotel. Due to the restaurant’s popularity one might not get a good table unless it’s early in the morning.

The restaurant was packed. J.J. and I eagerly accepted the first and perhaps the last vacant table. Mary Grace’s tables are all square and small. Following an established system, one server brings you the menu, another takes orders including beverages. Another delivers your utensils, napkins then whatever condiments that come with your main dish.

A couple around our age were seated at the table adjacent to ours. They spoke to each other in Japanese. 

The husband asked his wife, “You are not hungry, are you?”

Husband: “I will order a plate and give you a portion of mine.” 

Wife remained silent.

Husband: “I am going to have a coffee. You can share mine.”

Wife: “No I will have my own coffee.”

They drank in silence. J.J. and I each ordered our own plates and we engaged in conversation.

Sensed their curiosity, J.J. asked if they are visiting or residents? Husband replied that they are only visiting for 5 days but they used to live in Manila some 30 years ago. He alluded to the fact that he had a company with a Filipino partner but he is now retired.

When he found out we are also retired and visiting the Philippines for 3 months, he was surprised. Furthermore, J.J. told him that we are usually traveling year round, he exclaimed, “You or your wife must be very rich!” The husband stated that he worked hard while his wife spends the money.

I wished his wife be well and enjoy life in Japanese as we parted our company.

Aloha -- Cathi

Parmigiano Italian Restaurant in Uptown Mall

Aloha Everyone,

This morning we had good weather. The two of us took a longer route so I could photograph interesting visuals of lanais which gave a distinctive look to otherwise ordinary buildings. 

J.J. and I had scouted this restaurant about a week ago. What caught our eyes was the byline beneath, “Authentic Italian Passed Through Generations.” By the time we arrived, it was past 12:00 noon. Only less than 1/2 of the interior seats were filled. That means the quality of food is so-so or the prices are higher than their competition.

There were little nice touches such as bright yellow oversized table napkins, fork and knife pillows plus complimentary bread basket.

I ordered Mozzarella with tomatoes. This is one of my favorite Italian dishes which I tend to compare with authentic fresh ingredients Flavia used to prepare. J.J.’s go to dishes are spaghetti alla Vongole and fried calamari. Dishes were served hot. 

J.J.’s comment was that spaghetti and mozzarella dishes were very good. However, calamari rings which came with breaded and fried white fish pieces were too large and not at all impressive. Our bill for today’s lunch came out to US$22. 

J.J. suggested that we returned to a seafood restaurant we recently dined where he truly enjoyed their baby calamari plus similar vongole plate. 

I don’t mind returning there. I had a grilled salmon on mixed green salad which was perfectly prepared and delicious. The price difference of US$5 is minuscule when it comes to quality and enjoyment of a good meal.

Aloha -- Cathi