Food Discoveries Part II

Here's another set of food that I have discovered here in Pattaya. 

1. Lemon Flavored Biscuit. I like Ritz but I'm not a fan. I can eat it but won't go gaga about it. But while doing my grocery, I saw this lemon flavored biscuit and it got me interested to try it. And so I bought it. What's expected, it tastes like lemon. Haha. Okay lang siya. Ganun.

2. Ice Cream Cookies. Ibang klase, may ice cream flavor ang Oreo cookies dito. Medyo minty siya na medyo kakaiba yung lasa pero okay naman. When I tried it, I never said I'll buy it again. I can eat it again but I won't stock some. I'd rather go back to the original one.

3. Multi-grained Sour Cream & Onion Pringles. I'm not a fan of Pringles. Same as Ritz, I can eat it when served but won't go crazy about them. But since I'm on a diet, and I only go for those familiar because of language barrier sa mga products sa grocery store, I took this and gave it a try. It's good actually. You would taste the healthy difference from the original one.

4. Cheese Bread. Dito ako naadik. Alam ko may mga cheese bread tayo sa Pilipinas pero di pa ako nakakita nang ganitong klase at eksaktong ganito na cheese bread. The first time I tried it, yung feeling na gusto mo na agad bumalik to buy another one the next day. So when I had a chance again, I purchased 3 packs. Ansarap kasi. Nag-uumapaw na melted cheese tapos may sweet something siya. Pero dahil nagpanic buying ako, after maubos yung tatlo for 2 days, naumay na ako. Haha!

5. Pandan-flavored Bio Yogurt. Dahil mahirap mag-stock nang ice cream for diet purposes (LOL), I buy yogurt snacks for desert. Ma-umay kasi akong tao. Gusto ko may matamis lagi after meal. So to be safe, eto ang binibili ko. Masarap siya. Para siyang Nestle Yogurt Fruit Selection sa Pilipinas. I buy the buko pandan flavor. Mahilig ako dun.

Chinito

Sa amin dalawa ni hubbee, siya ang mahilig sa mga chinito. Dun siya madalas naku-kyutan. Ako, ang hilig ko talaga is yung may mga katawan. Magkaiba kami nang kina-kyu-kyutan. Ganun kami minsan sa mall pag naglalakad. Nagbubulungan kami pag nakakakita kami nang type namin. Pero ganun lang kami. Masaya na kami sa ganun. Nothing more than that.

The other day when I decided to do a photo walk dito sa Pattaya, pagdating ko sa Royal Garden Plaza, while checking an item sa isang stall, I saw this chinito looking guy na sobrang cute. Naka ilang lingon talaga ako. Normally kasi, pag may nakita akong cute, isang tingin lang, enough na. Pero etong guy, ang cute cute. Sarap pisilin ang pisngi. Then I left. A cutie for the day. Straight kasi. Kasama niya yung panget niyang girlfriend. Haha. Nilait talaga.

Pag-akyat ko sa taas, habang umiikot, nagkasalubong na naman kami. Sabi ko, ay, bihira ang dalawang beses ha. Pampasaya na din. Sige lang. Sinulyapan ko uli ang ka-kyutan niya. Then done. Pagpunta ko naman sa Ripley's Believe it or Not, ayyy, nagkasalubong na naman kami. Si kuya, pinapasaya ang malungkot na pinoy. Haha. Kinunan ko nga nang picture. Palihim. Haha. First time kong mag-ala stalker. Nakaka-aliw! At di pa natapos yun dun ha. Pagpunta ko naman nang Pattaya City Walk, hala, nagkita na naman kami. Destiny? LOL.

Nung birthday naman ni Ray nung nanood ako sa banda niya, meron silang cute na gitarista. His name is Golf and he's a thai national. Akala ko pa nga nung una kaming inintroduce to each other, I thought it was Gong. Golf pala. Haha. Ang galing niya mag-gitara! Chinito looking din. Akala ko nga nung una koreano. Sumasayaw pa siya sa stage. Marunong din kumanta. Medyo may pagka-hyper daw ang ugali according to Ray. Eto na naman ako. Kinunan ko nang picture din. Stalker na naman? Haha.

 

Bakit nag-iiba ang taste ko? Bakit ako natutuwa sa mga chinito? Haha. Pero ang cute naman nila di ba? Nagsasawa na ata ako sa mga cute na puti kaya napapansin ko tuloy ang mga asian looking cuties. Alam niyo na, may shortage nang kakyutan dito sa mga local thai. Haha. Okay, enough na. LOL.

Happy Birthday Ray

Ray as how we call her, Ray Marie Soriano is her complete name and is the bestfriend of Nana here in Pattaya. She calls her Istampyudit for reasons I don't know yet (matanong nga bukas, I always forget). And when in stage performing, she's called Rya. She's one of the vocalist in her band who likes Beyonce that's why she moves and sings like her when in stage. She can be Shakira at times who can jiggle wiggle her ass at stage to entertain the people in the crowd. She's a very good performer as I may say and has a striking charm when you watch her on stage.

I met her few days when I arrived here in Pattaya. Katapat lang nang kwarto nila Nano at Nana ang room ni Ray. Magaan na agad ang loob ko sa kanya simula pa lang. I'm very picky with people, and I choose the people I interact with. But with her, it was an instant connection, just like with Nana. Days passed, nagkakasama kaming tatlo sa apartment nila nano at nana, kwentuhan lang, tambay, tawanan, nood nang tv, or minsan, nag-aaya sila kumain sa labas. Doon na nabuo ang samahan naming tatlo.

Yesterday, it was her birthday. She did not plan any birthday party because she has work. So Nana sent a BBM message while I was at the gym. She asked me to go to Lima Lima (that's where Ray performers) so I can join Ray's birthday night. Ray wanted that so I obliged since it's her birthday. I enjoy watching their band din naman so I went there. Kahit mag-isa, go pa din. Pagdating, order nang Singha, nood, video nang performance ni Ray, palakpak, indak sa musika, ganun. Kahit may mga babaeng lumalapit sa akin kagabi (dalawa din yun, magkasunod), sakit sa ulo. Di po ako straight. LOL!

Until their first set break, I saw her band mates gave her a cake, a whisky and a card. Ray wasn't talking about her birthday that's why she was surprised how they knew it. But I was happy for her. Nung tumabi nga sa akin si Ray, I asked her if she's happy. She said yes naman. That was my wish for her. To be happy, not just only on her birthday but for the rest of the days to come. She's a beautiful person in and out and she deserves unending happiness. Masayahin at mabuting tao talaga si Ray.

After 4 sets, tapos na ang tugtog nila. Tapos na ang trabaho niya. We went to Candy Shop to see if her friends are still there. Para mag-inom at mag-celebrate sila. Ako pass na ako sa ganun. Di naman talaga ako umiinom. Gusto ko lang siya ihatid dun. Kaso pagdating doon, wala na mga kaibigan niya. Di pala niya nasabihan. Haha. Kaya nag-aya na lang kumain si Ray. Dinala niya ako sa Hamburger Denmark. Doon daw sila madalas kumain nang burger ni Nana dati. In fairness, masarap naman ang burger nila.

Doon na kami nagkwentuhan ni Ray. Doon ko siya mas nakilala. That it was becoming a dancer or a cop ang naging dream niya pala noon, hindi talaga pagkanta. We exchanged some stories of our lives na din. It feels good to meet someone like here especially that I'm just new here in Pattaya. A friend like her gives me good reason to stay aside from the good company of my cousins and Nana. Ray is a friend, a sister and family to me now, the same treatment I give to Nana. And when I consider someone like that, I treasure it forever. Happy Birthday Ray! I wish you all the best!!!

Watch some of Ray's performance in Lima Lima last night as she celebrates her special day...

Candy Shop

Ang sarap talaga nang candy. Nag-enjoy ako mamili nang mga...

LOL.

Okay, this is not about candies nor where it can be bought. This is a post of the gimmick we had at Candy Shop in Walking Street last July 16 where we watched Janice on her last day performance in Pattaya for her visit here. As mentioned in my previous post (see this entry "Drunk"), I was with the "Pattalogs" gang or the Pattaya Jologs (Nano & Nana, Kuya Ogie, Cholo, Ray and me) that night coming straight from Bangkok. And yes, that's how we call ourselves now. LOL. At eto yung gabing ako'y nahilo at nalasing. Hehe.

Me, Nana & Ray

Kuya Ogie, Cholo, Me and Nano

Me and Nana

This is Janice doing Super Bass of Nicki Minaj. Pasensya na at medyo madilim. I just used my ever portable Blackberry phone. But anyways, going back to Janice, regardless of her size, she really can move and dance and entertain people aside from her very nice voice. And most of all, mabait at di suplada. Di mo mararamdamang sikat siya. And she's pretty.

Masarap sumayaw sa Candy Shop. Maganda ang live band. And during the band break, maganda yung mga music na pinapatugtog nang DJ. I won't mind going back, but I don't want to get drunk again just like what happened the last time.

Never again (weh). Haha!

Welcome To My Apartment

Since there's no way that I and Kuya Ogie can stay in one room because of many personal reasons, I have searched for my own place the next day I arrived here in Pattaya. Nana was very pro-active to help me out. She was the one who guided me around since I'm just new in the place. I have nothing so much against about Kuya Ogie but our world are very much different that it would be difficult for us to be together in one room.

Anyways, after hours of walking and asking around, and looking at different apartments, it seemed that there's no apartment fit for me. I am considering a lot of things kasi, and yes, I'm very particular of those. I don't mind being picky. Siyempre hahanap na rin ako nang own place ko, I have to find the one that will suit me. I look for convenience, security, proximity, cleanliness, design and price. Those are the things I consider. And that's in order. You see, price is really not the top priority. I'm just new to the place. I consider the first two as most important for me.

We decided to just go back to their apartment and will try again later in a different area naman. So we took a motorcyke (that's how they call the motorcycle bike here) and went back. But while on our way, I saw an apartment that caught my attention. We called the number and the owner answered immediately. When we told him that we're downstairs, in just a few minutes, he showed up. He then introduced himself as Mr. Gagan. An indian guy who owns the apartment (Richie Rich Suites) and has a filipina girlfriend. He was pleasant, accommodating and seemed to be nice. Dun pa lang, good vibes na.

Habang paakyat kami ni Nana, we were crossing fingers na sana eto na ang tamang apartment. But both of us were having good vibes na. And when he showed unit 303, we were just embraced by the room. It was pleasant. Maganda yung vibes. Maaliwalas. The building and the apartment is barely new. I liked the set up, the furnitures, the design, the color. The place is in downtown Pattaya, near to everything, to 7-eleven and Family Mart, computer and laundry shops, food stalls and drug store, etc. I liked it in an instant. It was a "this is it" moment!

The apartment is a 10-15 minute walk to my cousins' apartment. The entrance to the apartment is secured. You need to have a security key to enter to the building. It's also not in front of the main road, less crowd and very safe. My budget for the apartment is around 4,000B and maximum is 5,000B. You can find an apartment for that price naman but the catch is, don't expect too much nga lang, if you know what I mean. The apartment costs more than my budget. But I didn't mind na. It's the place that I need to start my life here.

Contract was signed then, I paid the first month rent and I just need to give him a security deposit of 5,000B which I will get when I move out. Electric bill is not included and water bill would cost around 200B/month, same price for the wi-fi service. The apartment includes the complete bed set, air-con, flatscreen TV, cable, refrigerator, hot and cold shower, curtains and cabinets. It has a balcony. The bathroom is spacious. The lighting system is cool. You can have the regular lighting or the blue lights, both in the bedroom and in the bathroom.

No wonder for more than two weeks already, I was able to maintain the cleanliness of it kasi nakaka-inspire siyang linisin. Here in Pattaya, included na talaga ang bed, TV, ref, aircon sa rented apartments. Labanan na lang nang interior design at location. Nagkalat dito ang apartments that can be rented for daily or monthly since this place is flocked by foreigners. Kaya di uso dito ang one year contract or something.

So far, I am enjoying my stay here. To anyone who will visit me here, you are most welcome to my apartment. May mga naka book na nga this coming October and November. Hehe. Pero unang dadalhin ko siyempre dito si hubbee. I want to prepare everything for him. Gusto ko comfortable uli ang living ni hubbee pag nagsama uli kami. Kasi for now, he's not in a very comfortable place where he lives kaya somehow, nakaka guilty na naka swerte ako nang magandang place dito while he's there, tinitiis ang buhay sa bahay nang bestfriend niya. Konting tiis na lang hubbee...

So let me tour you around. May tour talaga? LOL

Once you enter the building, para kang nasa spa. The smell, the dim light and the paintings on the wall. Ganun yung feel. Pang good vibes lang...

This is what you will see once you enter the door of my apartment...

Right side when you enter is the spacious bathroom that has a sliding door while on the left side is the cabinet...

This is my very big bed. Masaya na nga ako sa single bed pero ganito talaga ang standard bed size sa mga apartments dito. Sayang kasi sa space. Oh well. Hehe.

These are some of the things you will see inside my apartment. The electric fan, the clock, the home theater, I purchased it separately sa murang presyo lang. Mura talaga gamit dito...

Here's the balcony and the view outside when you're there. Diyan ko din pinapatuyo ang mga nilalabhan ko...

So there, that's my home here in Pattaya. The first thing I settled before anything else. Inunti unti ko habang makumpleto ko yung mga importanteng pangangailangan ko sa bahay. My place of dwelling is very important to me.

So thank you for coming and hope to see you again? LOL!

Night Talat

On the second night of my stay here in Pattaya, Nana brought me and Kuya Ogie to Night Talat. Talat means market in thai. It's the place to shop when you're buying stuff you'll bring home or stuff you'll use here. They are only open every friday - sunday which starts at 5:00 pm and ends at midnight. And if you're a shop-a-holic, this is your place. Good finds, cheap items and you have a lot of options. It's a big night market.

 

I've been to night markets in Hongkong and Singapore and yes, you'll find good deals too there but now I know the difference of Thailand from those other asian shopping destination. In here, you'll find many alternatives. Doon kasi parang halos pare-pareho makikita mo. Dito, andaming choices. And mind you, the fashion taste is way different. But I'm speaking for myself. It fits my taste. And madaming panlalaki. Normally kasi, sa mga night market, karamihan eh halos pambabae. Dito, ang saya, andaming choices. 

Here, walang descrimination. Pang all sizes, hindi lang sa mga petite and small body. LOL. Karamihan nga kasi nang tao dito sa Pattaya, foreigners, mas marami pa nga sila sa local thai. Eh ang sizes nang mga foreigners malalaki di ba. Kaya ayun. May part din na parang Banchetto or Soderno. Andaming food. Mostly authentic thai food. Sarap mag food trip. Na-adik ako sa Buko juice doon, nakadalawang balik ako!

 

You can find all types of shirts, jeans, shorts, jackets, meron ding mga shades, socks, beauty products, shoes, belts. May mga nagtitinda din nang mga DVD, mga pang decor sa bahay, mga wig, at meron din silang section nang mga tindahan nang pets at halaman. Basta kumpleto. Mapapagod ka sa kalalakad. Pero enjoy kasi andaming gwapong foreigners. Hehe. Yung iba, mukhang hollywood artists and porn stars. LOL. Pag naka tyamba ka pa, mga bakat. Walang suot na underwear. Mainit kasi dito. Saya na ba? LOL.

Hindi ako masyado nakaikot at nakapamili kasi andaming distractions. Haha. Just kidding. Kasama ko kasi sila, sumunod pa si Nano tsaka ang bestfriend niyang si Cholo. Kaya nahihiya akong magpatagal at magtingin tingin. Sabi ko sa sarili ko babalik na lang ako mag-isa. Kaya the next day, haha, pero seriously, bumalik ako mag-isa. Inaral ko talaga kung paano pumunta. Sabado na nun, kaya mas doble ang dami nang tao. Jusko, sobrang init. Doon, malaya na akong nakapamili. Shorts, shirts, pang decor sa apartment at kung ano ano pa.

That was just a few days here in Pattaya. Kailangan kong mag-control. Or else, I'll be broke. Haha. Pero ang sarap bumalik. Ang mura kasi. Mag-eenjoy dito si hubbee, lalo na sa food section. LOL.

Big C

 

One of the things that I enjoy doing back in the Philippines and together with hubbee was doing grocery. For some reason, may kasiyahan sa aking puso pag nasa loob ako nang grocery store. Kasiyahan? LOL. Actually, kahit sa palengke (not all, yung maayos at konting malinis), natutuwa din ako. I remember when I was still a kid, nagwawala ako at umiiyak nang walang humpay pag di ako sinasama ni mommy sa palengke. Kumakapit talaga ako sa tricycle na sasakyan ni mommy. Ganun. Ewan ko ba, kaya lumaki akong happy day sa akin ang grocery day.

So here in Pattaya, walking distance lang ako sa palengke. Siguro mga 5-7 minutes lang. When I rented this apartment, I needed some stuff that I will use to maintain the cleanliness of it. Oh ha! Hubbee, nababasa mo ba ito! Iniisip ko ang paglilinis. LOL. Doon ako sa palengke bumili nang mga hanger, basurahan, walis, dust pan, basahan at extension. Para kasing isang malaking bodega siya na andun halos yung pwede mong kailanganin sa bahay. Mura pa. Aliw!

Pag food naman, sa Big C ako pumupunta na I mentioned before na parang Shopwise o SM Hypermarket natin sa Pilipinas. Parang one-stop shop store. May tatlong Big C dito sa Pattaya. At napuntahan ko na agad silang lahat. Haha. Yung una, nung bumili ako nang sampayan nang damit. Yung pangalawa sa Central Center Pattaya, doon naman ako bumili nang mga gamit ko sa paglalaba at nang microwave oven. Yung pangatlo ang favorite ko sa lahat, at ang pinakamalapit sa akin, one motorcycle away, ang Big C Extra. Doon ako nakabili nang comforter na mura, nang malaking salamin, konting pang-decor sa apartment at nang kung ano ano pa.

Sa Big C din ako nabili nang pang diet kong food. Meron silang salad bar na ikaw ang gagawa nang sarili mong salad. Malaki din ang fruit section. Naaadik ako sa suha dito pati sa mga fresh juice from fruits and vegetables. Yung pure at walang halo. Pag bumili ka nang anim na bottles, may libre kang isa. Gusto ko talaga mag-diet dito. Nakakatulong din yung di mo maintindihan yung salita, at least di ka nakakabili nang junk food. Haha! Dito din ako bumibili nang mga microwavable na food. Alam niyo na, di marunong magluto. Hehe.

Sa Big C din masarap mag food trip. Mga authentic thai food at kung ano ano pang international food kasi nga andaming foreigners dito. Pero wala pa din akong na-ta-try na thai food. LOL. Naaadik ako dito sa grilled pepper chicken, ewan ko ba, lalo na sa 999 Steak Corner. Ang plated pepper chicken nila dun, may kasama nang salad, fries, toasted bread at onion ring. Ring lang, hindi rings. Kasi isang piraso lang. Haha. Pero malaki naman. And the food costs 79B only. Can you believe that! Sa Big C ko din na-discover ang Green Tea blizzard nang DQ.

Isa sa mga worries ko dati ang food nung bago pa lang ako dito but thanks to Big C, hindi ako nahirapan mag-adjust. Hehe. Pinrovide niya ang mga kailangan ko sa mura at tamang halaga, at swak sa aking panlasa. And as long as there's Big C, I'll be fine. Haha!

Pattaya King Bed

Kanina, habang nasa gym, magka-BBM kami ni hubbee. Everytime we have a conversation, nagiging emotional ako. Kung dati, ang walang kasawaang salita sa loob nang condo namin eh "I love you", ngayong magkalayo na kami, naging "Miss na kita". Hindi nawawala yung salitang yun palagi. At ngayong nasa kama ako, biglang pinatugtog ang isa sa mga favorite kong kanta ni Rihanna sa TV, ang California King Bed. Everytime I hear this song, I get emotional. Ewan ko ba!

Chest to chest, nose to nose

Palm to palm, we were always just that close

Wrist to wrist, toe to toe 

Lips that felt just like the inside of a rose

Ganyan kami ni hubbee dati. Halos di na kami mapaghiwalay. Lagi kami nakadikit sa isa't isa. Gusto ko lagi kong nakikita si hubbee. Gusto ko lagi ako nakadikit sa kanya. Gusto ko either hawak ko kamay niya, or naka hug ako, or nakasandal ulo ko sa kanya. Kapag matagal siyang nawawala sa tabi ko, hinahanap ko na agad siya. Kaya imagine how hard it is for me to take all of these..

In this California king bed

We're ten thousand miles apart

I've been California wishing on these stars

For your heart on me, my California king

Oh well, wala ako sa California kaya Pattaya King Bed na lang. Haha. Kasi king bed talaga ang kama ko dito. But yes, hubbee and I are miles apart. Not sure lang kung ten thousand miles apart. LOL. But every night, I do wish on the stars that someday, hubbee and I will be together again. And sana soon. Wala namang limit sa wish.

Hay! Palagi ko na lang sinasabi sa sarili ko na sa simula lang ito, makakayanan ko din ang pangungulila ko kay hubbee. Pero sana nga, makayanan ko. Baka umuwi na lang ako bigla kung hindi. Hehe. Tapos babatukan ako ni hubbee at ni mommy, sasabihin, "Pa-thailand thailand ka pa ha, uuwi ka din pala". Haha. I can imagine that scene!

Here's another rendition of California King Bed by The Anser. The guys are great. They sing very well. Too bad they did not make it on X Factor last year. Enjoy!

Bangkok Weekend Getaway

Last friday, I left Pattaya to go to Bangkok to meet my friend Marlowe who's been settled there for 5 years already. He offered to tour me around in the city and will show me places where I can apply for a job. So mga 3:00 pm, I left my apartment and went to the bus terminal. It's just my first week in Thailand pero eto, nage-explore na agad ako. Malakas ang loob ko sa ganyan basta may pera, may communication, at hindi gabi. Kahit wala akong naiintindihan sa language or signs, go pa din!

Pagdating sa terminal, I purchased a ticket. It's 124B going to Sai Tai, the south terminal. Meron kasi silang tatlong bus terminals, my friend told me to take the Sai Tai. I was at the terminal nang 3:35 pm, sakto din that bus will leave at 4:00 pm. So I waited and grabbed snacks muna dahil di pa din ako nakain. The bus leaves on time. Isn't that cool! And you need to follow the seat number. Buti pa ang bus dito, may sandalan ang paa. Haha!

 

I arrived Bangkok at 7:00 pm na. Traffic kasi rush hour na. Nakakapagod ang byahe na di mo alam kung nasaan ka na, or tama ba, or malapit ka na ba sa terminal. Haha! Hindi ko nga mainom inom yung bottled water ko dahil baka maihi ako. Sinundo na lang ako nang friend ko sa terminal. I stayed at his apartment for 3 days and 2 nights. In those days, I was able to see the night life in Silom, the amazing malls of Bangkok, the tourist spots, ang office nang Agoda, at ang napakadaming cute na thai boys na nagkalat kung saan saan. Haha!

 

I went back to Pattaya sunday night dahil sa isang biglaang invite! Dapat hanggang monday pa ako doon. But anyways, I will post the pictures of my Bangkok weekend getaway. I will surely be back in this city. Lapit lang naman. Pagbalik, ang floating market naman ang pupuntahan ko. Gagambalain ko uli ang kaibigan ko. Hehe.

Movie Date

 

Last thursday, off ni Nano, pinuntahan nila ako sa gym para yayain lumabas at manood nang movie. Movie Date daw. Hehe. Yung gym ko, katapat lang nang apartment nila. Tinapos ko muna work out ko, umuwi, at dun na lang kami sa apartment ko nagkita kita at nagpagupit pa rin sila. Pumunta kami nang Central Festival Mall at doon kami manonood nang Ice Age 4. 

 

Kumain muna kami si Carl's Jr. at gutom na si Nana. Naglilihi ata sa Carl's Jr. The other day, andun din siya. Dun kami sa deck kumain, overlooking Pattaya Beach. Ikinasusyal nang Carl's Jr yun ha. May sarili silang deck. Haha. Ang ganda! Then after, we went to buy movie tickets na. The movie place amazed me. Walang sinabi ang movie place nang Resorts World sa Manila. The best talaga itong mall na ito. Mapapadalas akong manood nang movie. LOL.

We chose to watch the 3D version. First time ni Kuya Ogie, yung kuya ni Nano na manood nang 3D movie. At ang 3D glasses nila, naka plastic pa. I don't know if they pack it everytime, pero di katulad sa Pilipinas na salo salo nang dumi ang nasa 3D glass na ginagamit natin. Anyways, the movie was cute, as expected. Simple story. Really good for kids.

 

After the movie, naglaro muna kami sa Game center na katabi nang movie place. Na-miss ko tuloy ang TimeZone sa atin.

 

Then after, nag-crave naman si Nana nang ice cream. Kaya pumunta kami nang Swensen's para mag Ultimate Chocolate Fondue. Gusto daw niya matikman yun. Ganyan mag-crave si buntis. Haha! But in fairness, ang sarap! Sira ang diet. LOL.

Umuwi na kami after. May pasok na uli si Nano kaya kailangan nang magpahinga. Next off daw uli. Sarap nang libre lahat. Haha!

Food Discoveries Part I

Being here in Pattaya, Thailand for 11 days made me discover some good food treats that I have only found and tasted here. Food na pasok sa aking mapiling panlasa. I'm not into food exploring kaya whenever I like something, I stay loyal to it. I even haven't explored the thai cuisine up to now. Hehe. I'm still sticking to the usual food I have accustomed to eat. But let me share 5 new discoveries I have found here in Pattaya.

1. Green Tea Blizzard. I normally order Double Dutch flavor sa Pilipinas. Pagdating dito, wala sila noon. But I'm happy na may Dairy Queen sila dito. So not to take the other normal orders, I tried the green tea flavored ice cream nang DQ. Masarap!

2. Mojito Krusher. Sa Pilipinas, ang Krusher is yung shake style. Dito, nakakaaliw dahil meron silang mojito flavored na Krusher na plain drink. Although hindi siya alcoholic, pero malalasahan mo yung mojito flavor somehow. Aliw!

3. Meiji Milk. In terms of milk, I have been loyal to Selecta Fortified milk sa Pilipinas. Either straight drink or I use it sa cereals ko. Dito, I discovered this good tasting milk in 7-eleven and found also in groceries. I think I saw this milk sa Singapore but I haven't tried it. Dito ko lang siya nasubukan.

4. Pepper Steak Burger. Naaadik ako sa pepper steak burger nang Chester's Grill. Para siyang competitor nang McDonalds. Kung sa atin Jollibee, dito, Chester's Grill. Fast Food din siya. And this chicken burger na pepper steak flavor is such a good quick food that I can always count on.

5. Guava Juice. Nung una ko siyang inorder sa japanese fast food na kinainan namin ni Nana, akala ko nakakadiri yung lasa. But it wasn't. Masarap. Tama lang yung lasa. Everytime kasi na nakakaamoy ako nang bayabas sa Pilipinas, may weird feeling akong nararamdaman. But this one is a good drink that I have tried.

These are just few of the things I am discovering here in Thailand. I hope that someday magkaroon din nang ganito sa Pilipinas.

Drunk

 

I don't really drink and I don't normally go out to get drunk. But tonight was an exception. I got home so drunk, the first time I felt this heavy truck inside my head. It sucks! This is why I don't drink and get drunk. This shit feeling after...

While I'm on my way back to Pattaya from Bangkok, my cousins were sending me messages over BBM. It's Janice's last night sa Pattaya na daw that's why they want to watch her and they are inviting me to join them. Janice is a famous pinay band singer in Thailand. She's actually the highest paid pinay singer. It's her last night at the Candy Shop at babalik na sa Bangkok bukas. Sumunod na lang ako. Candy Shop is located at the Walking Street. Nilakad ko lang kasi malapit lang siya sa place ko.

Dahil na-try ko ang Singha Beer sa Bangkok and it did not knock me off, pumayag na ako sa invite nila to order a drink. The place was crowded, as expected, nang mga pokpok at nang mga foreigners, but the music jamming was a blast. Now I know why they are paid high. They are really really very very good. Nadala na ako nang music, na-enjoy ko na ang gabi, ang mga kasama at ang iniinom.

Lumipat naman kami sa Lucifer kung saan kumakanta si Nana. Di kami nagtagal dun dahil nauusukan si buntis kaya tumambay sa labas. Pagdating doon, may inabot na naman na Singha Beer. Inom na naman. Then balik uli nang Candy Shop. Sayaw. Indak. Inom. Hanggang sa nagutom lahat, umalis, pumunta nang KFC. Kumain. Pagkabusog, umuwi na mga pinsan ko. Pero si Janice at si Ray, yung bestfriend ni Nana, bumalik pa nang Walking Street.

At sumama ako sa kanila..

Ayoko pang umuwi. Ayoko munang mag-isa. Ayoko nang pagkakataong nag-iisip ka. Inaliw ko ang sarili ko kasama si Janice at si Ray. Bumalik nang Candy Shop. Nakilala ang ilang mga pinoy. May pinakilala ding vocalist na may itsura na ang kwento eh nagpapaka lalaki sa stage pero ang totoo, kauri. Nung napanood ko, totoo nga. 

Maya maya, bumalik na naman kami sa Lucifer, andun na ang ilang mga pinoy pa. Andami. Mga nagbabanda din. Nagkukumpulan na sa labas. Tapos na kasi ang mga gig. Yung iba, off nila. At simula 8:00 pm pa sila nag-iinom. Inalok na ako nang shot. Eto na, alak na. I refused. Quotang quota na kasi ako talaga. Pero binulungan ako ni Ray na wag mag-refuse, pa-welcome daw sa akin yun. So I had no choice but to take it. Hala, nagtuloy tuloy na ang mga pangyayari. Kwentuhan. Shot. Pakikisama. Pag-aaliw. 

Ending balance = DRUNK!

Umexit na ako. Baka di na ako makauwi pag di pa ako makaalis. Baka pulutin na lang ako sa kalsada. Ramdam ko na yung tama. Nilakad ko uli yung pauwi ko. Pinilit kong makauwi nang maayos kahit umiikot ikot paligid ko. Ganun pala yung feeling. Damn shit! And I thought na babagsak ako pagdating sa apartment. But I wasn't. What the hell is wrong with me! This is not so me!

I went out. I went to 7-eleven. Bumili ako nang comfort food ko. I think it was what I needed. Magnum Ice Cream. Tumambay ako sa balcony. Nagmasid nang mga tao sa baba. Nagpapababa nang amats. Shit! I can't believe I'm experiencing all of this. Sabi nga nang isang friend dito, when you are in Pattaya, you get drunk. Well, ngayon lang to. Di na mauulit ito. Sana...

Bangkok City

Von Viajero is currently at Bangkok City!

I left Pattaya afternoon of friday and had to go through the worse traffic jam of friday rush hour on my way here. It made my 2 hour travel extended to three because of the normal street condition of the city when people are mostly on the road coming out from school and work. Bangkok City is congested with so much cars even if they have so many highways and good road systems. Buying a car is really cheap in Thailand. Kaya andaming sasakyan!!!

So far, I am enjoying the city, a different view from Pattaya. Parang nagkalat dito ang mga cute thai boys na bihira akong makakita sa Pattaya. Unfair! Parang common lang sa streets mga itsura ni Mario Maurer. Kahit saan may cute. Haha. Sige, let me enjoy Bangkok City muna. So far, I am loving it. Enough said. Haha!

The Laundry Job Part I

I did it!!!

Nakapaglaba na din ako on my own ulit. Parang the last time I remember I did laundry was when I was still living in with my ex way back years ago. Di talaga ako naglalaba sa bahay noon. Lagi si mommy o katulong. Kaya di ako lumaking sanay maglaba. Natututo na lang ako nung una akong nakipag live-in. Yung babad-banlaw process lang. Ganun. Pero di rin masyado madalas. Ex ko din halos naglalaba.

Then hubbee came in to my life, we lived together and ever since, never he did ask me to do our laundry. Lagi siya. Although we have an option naman na magpa-laundry, ayaw lang niya. Gusto niya na siya mismo naglalaba nang damit namin. May ganun siyang concept. Sabagay, menos gastos, kawawa nga lang kamay niya. Pero siya naman may gusto nun. For almost 3 years, never kong inalala ang labahin. Until this Thailand plan came, it became one of my top worries. Haha. Seryoso!

Pagdating ko dito, marami naman palang laundry shop. Sus! Actually nagkalat nga sila. Sa medyo downtown kasi ako nang Pattaya kaya halos andito na lahat. But since I'm still new and still adapting to the environment, people, and culture, di pa ako kampante na ipagkatiwala ang mga damit ko sa ibang tao. Kaya back to do my own laundry concept. 

I went to Big C, their version of SM Hypermarket or Pure Gold or Shopwise, bought stuff I'll use for my own laundry. Pagdating sa pagbili nang sabon ako nahirapan. Kasi thai language lahat nang sabon. Eh malay ko na ba sa mga sabon ngayon. Si hubbee lang may exposure sa mga sabon sabon. Kaya ayun, si gut feel na naman ang ginamit kong sandata. Haha. Pero mukhang tama ako sa nakuha ko. Hehe.

Bumili din ako nang Downy. Buti na lang may Downy. Meron din sila dito na Comfort. Nauso din yun dati sa Pilipinas pero mas na-invade nang Downy ang market. Dahil yun ang naaalala kong ginagamit ni hubbee pampabango nang labahan, I bought one. Ang catch lang, di ko nagamit sa una kong laundry kasi di ko alam paano gamitin. Haha! Di pa activated ang BBM ko that time kaya di ko matanong si hubbee. But now, he taught me how to use it na. Sa sunod na laba, naka Downy na ako. Hehe.

Hubbee should be very proud of my accomplishment. The laundry job was a success. It's a sign, makaka-survive ako dito sa Thailand. Haha!!!

Lighthouse

I'm getting emotional at this moment. It's been a week since I arrived here in Pattaya. Everything is all okay naman. I'm getting the hang of it na. I got settled to my own apartment. Met new freinds already, some are filipinos too. I'm familiarizing places and streets na rin. Nakakapag-explore na rin ako mag-isa despite the language barrier. It seems that so far, things are getting good.

Tumambay ako ngayon sa balcony. Umuulan. Malamig. Tahimik na ang kapaligiran. Na-miss ko bigla si hubbee. Naiiyak ako everytime I miss him. But tonight I broke down. I heard a music video of Leon Jackson kasi sa TV. The title of the song is Lighthouse. It's a soft, mellow and beautiful song which matched my mood. Tears kept falling. This is the hard part of this journey. When you suddenly miss the one you love. You miss his face. His voice. The touch of his hand. His smile. Everything.

I prayed to God. I talked to Him. I just stared at the sky. I know He can hear me. I asked Him to keep hubbee safe always. That whatever we are going through, we'll make it. A lot of long distance relationship didn't work. But this one, I'm fighting for it. Same with the hopes that he's doing the same. It's hard. But I know, this is just part of the story. Someday, I know we'll be together again.

While taking this journey, I know hubbee will be my lighthouse. He will be there to guide me. His heart will remain to be my shelter. Listen to the song and feel the heart of the melody and be touched by it the way it did to me...

Thai Magnum

Una kong natikman ang Magnum Ice Cream sa Singapore bago ito naging hit sa Philippines. Sa Singapore pa lang, nakaka ilang ulit ako dahil ang sarap, not minding the price kasi sagot naman ni dad ang gastos ko. Haha. Until you realized how expensive this ice cream when it entered the market in the Philippines. But even if it still expensive and too much for some, I still love it. For a guy who has a sweet tooth, eating magnum is heaven for me. Haha.

So it was good to discover, when one day, here in Pattaya, when I went to 7-eleven to buy a chicken burger for my lunch, I saw Magnum in the ice cream freezer. Ang saya ko! Oo, masaya na ako sa fact na may magnum din dito. With a little difference in the packaging but still has the same sweet heavenly taste. Heavenly? Haha. Happy magnum life for me here in Thailand. My thai magnum! Haha.

First Day In Thailand Part III

When it was time to leave, nagfreshen up lang ako at nag-ayos nang kaunti. Sa balcony nang apartment nila, totoo nga ang tsismis na ang katapat na establishment is a hotel with a gym at pool. What's special about the place? Russian men and women just go naked when they swim. Gusto nilang mag sun bathing nang naked. Ang gaganda nang mga russian girls. Sexy. The apartment is heaven for straight guys. Haha! Hubad kung hubad lang mga girls. Buyangyang kung buyangyang. Topless or full naked.

So we left the apartment, Jomar picked us up again and dropped us at Central Festival Mall, just in front of the Pattaya Beach and where Hilton Hotel is located. Di pa rin ako nalayo sa "Festival Mall". Haha. Maganda at malaki yung mall. I suddenly felt I belong to the place agad. Haha. Dahil lang sa ganda nang mall. I can't recall how many floors. Puro sale pa. Shopping paradise!!!

We just strolled around, inikot ikot lang nila ako at pinatakam sa magagandang damit at sapatos na mura. Hay! Kailangan magpigil. Ayokong magsplurge sa unang araw ko. Haha! Mga next day. LOL. Then we had milk tea at Wawa Cha. Nakakatakam ang mga pictures kaya na-attract kami. I had boba green tea latte. Sarap!!!

Then they brought me to see the overlooking Pattaya beach. Ganda! Sarap tumambay dun at magrelax relax lang. 

We decided to visit my Tita Fely, my cousins' mom, sa Jomtien. Sumakay kami nang Baht Bus, their public transportation. Ang nakakaaliw sa sasakyan na ito, may area talaga siya for sabit. Aliw! At sumabit talaga ako. So you can see the view and our way to Jomtien. Sa Pilipinas, nahihiya ako sumabit sa jeep, dito, walang hiya hiya. Saya kaya! 10 Baht ang pamasahe per person which you will give pagkababa mo. May buzzer pa pag bababa ka.

While waiting for Tita, kumain muna kami sa Food Corner, merienda, tapat lang nang Jomtien beach. This beach has less crowd compare sa Pattaya beach. Ang sarap nang hangin, para kang dinuduyan. We ordered pizza, pasta tsaka may pinatikim sila sa akin na spicy thai food. Di ko kinaya. Di talaga ako mahilig sa spicy. Tapos bumili na ako nang sim card ko. DTAC is the provider. Nana helped me get a BB service.

Nang dumating na si tita, konting kamustahan, then we went back to the apartment kasama siya. Doon na kami tumambay. Maya maya, nagkayayaan mag badminton. Wow! Active lifestyle agad. Haha. At di naman masyado hectic ang first day ko. LOL. After an hour of game sa Diamond Badminton, sobrang natagtag katawan ko, pati na rin siguro mga fats ko, pagdating sa house, bagsak na agad.

 

That's how my first day in Thailand went. Sulit na sulit lang di ba. Haha!