Out and About in Fairfield

When tourists like me visit Sydney, the metropolis is usually the highlight of the experience. But I’ve downplayed the Sydney suburbs and realized that Australia’s culture is best learned from outside the city centre. Such is the place of Fairfield.

Fairfield is a quiet and laidback community in New South Wales. There are a lot of immigrants staying here especially Asians (who also populate the neighboring town of Cabramatta.) Mainly a residential area, Fairfield isn’t a place you would consider “busy”. There are pockets of commercial centres like Fairfield Forum, Big W, Aldi and the train station; but mostly the areas are free from disturbance.

One important thing to note here, especially in suburbs, is that shopping centres close early. And that means you need to do your groceries or buy your toothbrush before 6PM or else suffer the consequence of having no dinner or even bad breath.

What do people do after 6? Well, unlike in Asian countries where streets are still sprawling with people at night, Australians already settle in their homes. That could mean having an evening “barbie”, dinner with family, or watching television.

 

Chapel of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

As the Philippines celebrate Holy Week, Filipino Roman Catholics spend time to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ. In my case, I’ve visited one special place of miraculous healing, the Chapel of St. Pio of Pietrelcina in Eastwood, Quezon City. For decades, this small place along E. Rodriguez highway have touched the lives of many people especially those who have suffered from severe diseases like cancer.

Known as Padre Pio prior to sainthood, the Capuchin priest was revered for his capabilities to heal people and even become present at two places in one time. More importantly, he was known to have bore the stigmata, wounds in Christ’s passion that appeared in Padre Pio’s body.

Pope John Paul II canonized him as a saint after proving that his exhumed body is incorruptible and after the testament of hundreds upon hundreds of miracles. Some of those testaments are actually posted on the chapel walls. Many of them are actually recent and experienced by fellow Filipinos as well.

The St. Pio chapel is just a small place. It’s also easy to miss because it’s behind a gasoline station (Petron). But surprisingly, amidst its location beside a highway and within a busy business area, the place is surprisingly quiet. Aside from the chapel, there are also several prayer rooms including one for St. Francis of Assisi. There’s a candle room, a souvenir shop, and a small garden. You can also find in this place a replica of his body encased in glass as in the shrine in Rotondo, Italy.

So if you need time to reflect and to seek for personal healing, the chapel of St. Pio is worth experiencing.

Tips before the Trip

1. Wear the proper attire. No shorts or sexy/revealing clothes.
2. Don’t miss the road signs. The place isn’t easy to find. The chapel is behind a gas station.
3. Bring loose change for donations.

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San Narciso, Zambales

Back in 2008, I had the opportunity to visit one of the so-called surfing capitals of the Philippines, Zambales. This was the first out-of-town trip I’ve had with my best college buddies after graduation and the first time to experience San Narciso, Zambales.

It was a half day trip getting to Zambales via a Victory Liner bus travelling up Northern Luzon. We all met up at the Victory Liner Cubao Bus Station before sunrise in anticipation of the long trip ahead. Bus fee was somewhere at Php 300-400 (which was four years ago). It’s a long and winding road to San Narciso with one bus stop at Olongapo. By past noon, we arrived at our destination. It took us a while to figure out where our beach resort was since San Narciso is a long stretch of seaside houses and resorts.

I actually forgot the name of the resort where we checked-in but it was a modest place, not five star, but it had a  stunning view of the sea. There’s a more famous resort here called Crystal Beach; it’s where all the surfers hang out and they offer surfing lessons as well. Well, the resort we were at is just beside Crystal Beach.

The outstretched coastline of San Narciso is definitely the surfing town’s gem. There’s a lot of sand beachgoers can roll over to. A lot of resorts lie on the west while the eastern side remains untouched. One particular spot I liked was the delta where the sea and river meet. It was lovely (but I dared not swim in it because of the current). The waves are also quite huge at certain times of the day (thus making it a surfing “capital”).

Dawn was definitely the best time to take a walk in the beach. This is the time when you can witness the natural spectacle of Zambales’ sunset. The breeze is cooler and the people are more relaxed.

Tips before the Trip

1. - Food is more expensive in the resort, so bring your own food if the resort allows you.
2. - Bring bottles of water. Tap water may not be 100% drinkable for you.
3. - Travel light especially if you’re going thru bus.
4. - Bring a flashlight. Some areas are not well-lighted in San Narciso.
5. - Bring mosquito repellent. For those pesky insects at night.

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The Opera House at Night

This is one really bad picture but the experience was like no other. Taken back in 2010, this features the Opera House “clothed” in an array of lights. I have no idea how they do this. But it is simply spectacular. It was the most unforgettable night I’ve had in Sydney- watching the lights change as we stroll along the Rocks. Sydney is just so romantic at night. I even saw some couples kiss, warming up the chilly evening. It’s a marvelous sight to see and it’s for free!

 

Cheap Delights: Wall’s Wafer Ice Cream

Singapore is a hot and humid city. Temperatures can reach up to the high 30s to forty degrees Celsius. But you can deliciously break the heat with just a dollar. As you stroll around the city, you’ll come across a Wall’s ice cream stand. What’s so unique about Wall’s? This is the only street vendor I know in Southeast Asia where you can get your ice cream in between wafers!

I tell ya, Wall’s is a box office hit among Singaporeans and tourists alike.So when in Singapore, don’t ever forget to try this cheap delight! (See the picture below for the ice cream menu.)

Sidenote: Wall’s Ice Cream has different names in other countries. In Australia, it’s called Streets, and in the Philippines, Selecta.

 

Food Finds at Hong Kong Disneyland

Like most theme parks you’ve been to, Hong Kong Disneyland offers a lot of food options for hungry tourists. And just like each Disneyland area having its own theme, the food also follows suit. I was able to try several stuff from breakfast to lunch- some were really nice while some weren’t just that good.

The first thing you need to try in Hong kong Disneyland are the Mickey pancakes. What’s so special about it? Well though typical in taste, the delight of having Mickey’s face on a pancake (and eating him piece by piece) just brings out the kid in you. You eat it for fun! By the way, these pancakes come with complimentary strawberries and whipped cream or chocolate or maple syrup and butter.

When it comes to lunch meals, you can’t really count on them to serve you a delightful meal. Food at Tomorrowland seems so yesterday. Typical burger, fries, and drink meal… Or some chicken and chips? Might as well grab a meal at McDonald’s.

The BEST thing you have to try though is their popcorn. The caramel popcorn is the best thing you can have in HK Disneyland. It’s caramelly-good; it’s crunchy on the outside, soft and melts-in-your-mouth on the inside. This is by far the best popcorn I’ve had in a theme park!

(Click the pictures in the gallery to enlarge.)

 

A Vietnamese Dinner at Canley Vale

Somewhere in the suburbs of Sydney lies one delicious restaurant that serves really good Vietnamese food. The place is Thanh Mai or simply call it “brad”. Well, it doesn’t really matter how you call it because we’re in for the food!

At a reasonable price, you can experience Vietnamese food in all its goodness.

More images after the jump! >>

 

Prayer Time at Pink Sisters Baguio

Baguio is considered as a great place to chill out and enjoy the scenery. But you can also spend some time here to reflect, meditate, and re-energize your spirit. Somewhere along Brent Rd. in Baguio, is the famous Pink Sisters Convent. This small pink chapel is where the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters venerate the exposed Consecrated Host of Jesus Christ and pray for various petitions for people all day.

Many Catholics pay a visit to these sisters believing in the power of prayer. They would usually write their prayer intentions on a small sheet of paper, drop it in a wooden box, and leave a small donation. The Pink Sisters would then repetitively pray for these petitions for a certain time.

The chapel is also a great place to take some time for prayer and adore the wonderful interiors. When I went there, it was gray and foggy outside. But once I stepped inside, the place seemed to be bathed in warm sunlight. It was an awe-inspiring experience.

For more info about the Pink Sisters, visit the website below:

http://www.adorationsisters.org/index.html

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Binondo Food Finds

Many people come to Binondo for a lot of different reasons. But for me, the only reason I come here often is because of the food. And here in Manila’s Chinatown, there’s barely a shortage of it. From fruits, to nuts, the weird food, and of course the favorites from the Chinese-Filipinos who live here.

Sometimes, food here can get a bit overwhelming that you have no idea where to start. Well here are some food finds to get you on track.

See the food after the jump!>>

 

A Glimpse of Binondo

Binondo is the Chinatown of Manila. Known as the “Parian” community during the Spanish colonial era, this place is a centre of Filipino-Chinese heritage.

I’ve taken a trip to Binondo with my family to revisit some of the places we used to frequent to back in the 90s. It’s been 10 years since my last visit and the place is still pretty much the same with the exception of a few high-rise apartments being built.

Binondo is usually swamped with people but on some days, it can be as tranquil as a park. As usual, like every other Chinatown, you are welcomed by gigantic Chinese arches with dragons perched on the roofs. Or sometimes, you’ll find the same lion guards sitting in front of the beams. Every sign you see are either in Chinese or has the Hanzi inscription just below the English ones.

On our visit, Binondo was quite empty. It was a public holiday but many stores were still open for business. And one particular street remained busy amidst the holidays- Ongpin St.

Ongpin St. was named after Roman Ongpin, an icon in Philipine history known for supporting the Philippine Revolution. Roman Ongpin was one of the earlier Chinese immigrants to the country and once owned an art supply store in Binondo. A statue of him can be found beside Binondo Church.

Anyway, aside from the historic street name, Ongpin St. is often visited because it is Binondo’s food street. Restaurants, food shops, and sidewalk vendors lie along the whole stretch of this road. Some noteworthy stores include Eng Bee Tin, Mr. Ube, and Lord Stow’s.

There’s also one store here in Binondo that our family has long been a customer of .What it is, I’ll share on my next entry. For now, enjoy the small gallery of pictures below!

Happy Chinese New Year!

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