How much to travel to Osaka, Japan for Filipinos

FLIGHT DETAILS:

Booking Date: March 1, 2019
Travel Date: December 23, 2019
Destination: Manila to Osaka
Fare: 9,458.00 php via Jetstar w/ 15 kilos checked in luggage

Booking Date: March 15, 2019
Travel Date: January 4, 2020
Destination: Osaka to Clark
Fare: 10,127.37 php via Jetstar w/ 20 kilos checked in luggage

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS:

Booking Date: March 14, 2019
Accomodation via AIRBNB
December 23, 2019 to January 4, 2020 - 28,352.01 php for 2 pax

MY RUNNING EXPENSE FOR OSAKA, JAPAN TRAVEL THIS DECEMBER 2019:

33,761.375 php 

Cost for Fukuoka and Tokyo Travel 2019

How much to travel to Fukuoka and Tokyo from Manila?

We are a group of 4 and we'll be travelling to Fukuoka and Tokyo this coming October 2019. I want to share with you guys our current expenses for the upcoming trip.


FLIGHT DETAILS:

Booking Date: March 3, 2019
Travel Date: October 21, 2019

Manila to Fukuoka - 2,088 php via Cebu Pacific w/ 20kilos baggage

Fukuoka to Tokyo - 4,052 php via Peach w/ 20kilos baggage

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS:

Booking Date: March 13, 2019
Fukuoka (October 21 - 24) and Tokyo (October 24 - 27)

Accommodation via AIRBNB - 5,946.25 php each

Total cost at the moment: 12,086.25 each

***We don't have a return ticket yet from Tokyo to Manila. Still waiting if there will be any seat sale for October 2019 from Cebu Pacific 

Boracay 2019

EXPENSES:

April 20, 2019 

PAL (Clark to Caticlan) PR 2376 - 4,749 pesos / 1,583 pesos each
(w/ FREE Light Snack "cupcake" and coffee) 
Clark Terminal Fee - 150 pesos each
Tricycle from Caticlan Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port - 35 pesos each
Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal Fee - 100 pesos each
Environmental Fee - 75 pesos each
Boat Fee to Boracay Island - 25 pesos each
Tricycle from Caticlan Jetty Port  to Station 2 Main Road Only - 20 pesos each
La Carmela (3 nights) - 10,581.20 pesos for 3 pax


April 23, 2019

Cebu Pacific (Caticlan to Clark) CANCELLED - 4,944.84 pesos 

Tricycle from La Carmela to Caticlan Jetty Port  - 150 pesos for 3 pax
Terminal Fee at Caticlan Jetty Port  - 100 pesos each
Boat Fee - 25 pesos pesos each
Cebu Pacific (Caticlan to NAIA) 5J 906 CANCELLED - 12,684.68 pesos for 3 pax 

COMPENSATION FROM CEBU PACIFIC AIR FOR CANCELLED FLIGHT APRIL 23, 2019
Dinner - FREE 1pc fried chicken w/ rice from Andok's and bottled water from Cebu Pacific
Free Transportation via Southwest Van from Caticlan Airport to Navarro Hotel Caticlan
Navarro Hotel Caticlan - FREE Accommodation from Cebu Pacific with FREE Breakfast
FREE Travel Voucher (one-way ticket) to any domestic flight valid for 180 days 

April 24, 2019

Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 9066 (Caticlan to NAIA) - Rebooked / No Fee
FREE snack - 2 magic flakes and bottled water
FREE snack - nissin cup noodles and botted water

TOTAL: 29,754.88 for 3 pax

(9,918.29 pesos each airfare + accommodation excluding food) 

Marugame Udon BGC (Part 2)

Here is the Part 1 of my Marugame Udon review.

10 years back, Philippines do not have that many Japanese Restaurant. I can't even remember if BGC already exist back then.  

Ever since I was a child I have been quite an adventurous in trying unfamiliar food. Udon is something that we Filipinos do not eat everyday. 

From my previous post I tried their Mentai Kamatama and I enjoyed it. I told myself I will back here to try their Carbonara Udon. And yes I'm back! :) Finally, Carbonara Udon with Kakiage on the side. My friend ordered Chicken Paitan and looks awesome.

Marugame's Carbonara Udon is surprisingly light, I was expecting that it would be very creamy but not. It was ok but it is not my typical carbonara. With Kakiage - OMG! I was really hoping they'll have unlimited promo on this ball of fried veggies. It was really delicious especially if you pair it with their special soy and grated ginger. Spending less than 300 pesos is quite reasonable for you to enjoy an authentic japanese food. 

Marugame Udon BGC Taguig Philippines

© Andrea Paola Gutierrez

Hong Kong 2017

Hong Kong!!! 1st time I visited Hong Kong was in 2012 then 2015 and for the 3rd time - this year 2017! This time I visited Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery. I still enjoyed my Cafe de Coral meal, went to Cheung Chau Island and ofcourse Disneyland Hong Kong. Best time to visit Hong Kong is during winter season from December to March. Weather is colder than Baguio especially in Cheung Chau Island.

A short clip from Nan Lian Garden in Hong Kong located at Diamond Hill Station

Though it is my 3rd time here in Hong Kong, it is my first time here at the Hello Kitty Cuisine.

My Cafe de Coral :)

© Andrea Paola Gutierrez

Ippudo Eastwood City Libis

Back in December 12, 2016, I was one of the lucky first 200 customers to get a FREE ramen for the grand opening or IPPUDO Eastwood City. The grand opening started with a colorful lion dance then a prayer :) .

Akamaru Shinaji

IPPUDO’s original tonkotsu broth enhanced with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil. Served with thin noodles, pork belly, kikurage and spring onions. A refined, modern-style ramen.

I like this ramen a lot because of its rich broth and it comes with hard noodles just the way my ramen should be. 

Okonomiyaki

I ordered sides to complement my FREE Akamaru Shinaji . I got my self an Okonomiyaki (a japanese pancake, flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, chashu). This one is a bit salty for me. 

Matcha Creme Brulee

If you are a matcha lover, you can never go wrong with Ippudo's Matcha Creme Brulee. This dessert has the right sweetness with earthy taste from matcha powder and topped with smooth vanilla ice cream.

Ippudo is a noisy place - waiters are shouting things in Japanese every so often as they run around endlessly. One thing I noticed, customers don't seem to mind and they


© Andrea Paola Gutierrez

Cafe Athena in El Nido Palawan

I went to El Nido with few information about the place. I started strolling around the area the next day to get breakfast. And I found this cafe by the sea. I asked the lady who works here if I can take a picture of the menu. She said that they aren't allowing anyone to take photo unless you'll dine then gave me a sweeping look from head to toe. It's hard not to be offended. I am wearing my jammies as I walk around El Nido. Yes! I am wearing my jammies while others are almost naked.

Cafe Athena in El Nido Palawan

Cafe Athena interior

Cafe Athena interior

I am getting hungry and I want to relax. I entered the cafe with all the staff looking at me or maybe on my jammies. I sat down on where I can have a full view of the sea ignoring the rude staff. I politely asked for the menu and ordered something light for breakfast. I had Bruschetta, Pumpkin soup and vitamin C shake. I like everything here except for the staff. I travelled 6 hours from Puerto Princesa Airport going here just to be greeted by these not-so-friendly people.

Bruschetta, Pumpkin soup and vitamin C shake

I spent 2 hours eating my breakfast here at Cafe Athena while watching waves. It was a blissful moment and wishing to live there forever. I am missing El Nido.


© Andrea Paola Gutierrez

Sunnies Cafe BGC Taguig

I was asked by the love of my life to check out this restaurant in BGC and who am I to say no with her request? To make story short, I booked an UBER from Eastwood to Sunnies Cafe. I was greeted by not your usual restaurant interior. 

Sunnies Cafe interior

Trial and error shot

Sunnies Cafe have decent option for weight watchers. And I am in a middle of wanting to lose weight and wanting to satisfy my craving. I ended up having Baked Squid Ink Lasagna, Kimye Milkshake and Salmon Poke Quinoa. The serving is a bit too generous for the price . 

 Salmon Poke Quinoa Salad is my favorite among the three

The baked squid ink lasagna is so rich and creamy that will make you feel "umay". Don't get me wrong, the lasagna is delicious but like I said the serving is good for 2. That day I also crave for something sweet and decided to go for a milkshake. It's a delicious indulgence, but not a diet staple. Salmon Poke Quinoa Salad is my favorite among the three. It is very light and refreshing. And I really like the idea of raw salmon on top of my greens. Overall, I enjoyed dining in at Sunnies Cafe and definitely will go back to try some more from their menu.

Sunnies Cafe High Street BGC Taguig Address: Lane P, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines

Marugame Udon BGC Taguig

BGC Taguig is becoming a foodie mecca like no other. And Marugame Udon opened its first branch here.  This is a self-service restaurant. You get your tray, tell them your order, get your sides, wait for your food, pay and get your condiments.

I ordered Mentai Kamatama Udon which I find very interesting and it was quite appealing visually.

Udon was perfectly done, chewy and firm served with raw egg and mentaiko (fish eggs). I mixed everything and really goes well at first. When my udon starts to get cold, I began to dislike the smell of the raw egg.

I aslo ordered Tuna Omusubi which goes well while having an udon.

The place is quite small but overall I had a good meal and I will definitely come back to try their rice meals, carbonara udon and tempura.

Tuna Omusubi 40php
Mentai Kamatama Udon 230php

Marugame Udon BGC Taguig Philippines

Address: Building 7, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City


© Andrea Paola Gutierrez

New Bombay BGC Taguig

 Chicken Biryani, Chicken Manchurian, Mutton Masala, Chapatti

Kheer

New Bombay interior

When I get bored of eating the same food over and over, I tend to try new food. I recently travelled to Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur and their food are awesome. And since I'm back here in Manila, I sometimes have this strong craving for indian food. I have been eyeing on this restaurant since day 1 our office moved to BGC (Bonifacio Global Taguig). The place is just small and full of flies but the food is really good and quite reasonably priced as well. We ordered Chicken Biryani, Chicken Manchurian, Mutton Masala, Chapatti and Kheer.


New Bombay Indian Restaurant in BGC Taguig
Address: Fort Bonifacio 2F Crossroads Building, 32nd & 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City


© Andrea Paola Gutierrez

Food Tripping in Malaysia

Everytime we travel, food tripping is always included to our itinerary (LOL!) Trying out their traditional and everyday staple food is one way of knowing their history, culture and their modern way of life. It is very satisfying to try out those different dishes and very affordable too.

By the way they don't speak very well in english so please be patient and just simply point on the menu and hand them your cash. Don't ask too many questions. My advice is for you to have a research first about different indian / malaysian food so you would know what you should expect. And yeah we did not! hahaha everything is a surprise when food landed on our table. Enjoy! :)