Itinerary ni Teh ~ Indochina Vietnam/Cambodia

- Indochina Day 0 -

(Travel time)

Evening:

• Depart from NAIA Terminal 3, Manila

- Indochina Day 1 -

(Saigon, Vietnam)

Morning:

• Cu Chi Tunnels

Afternoon:

• Ben Thanh Market

*Cao Dai Temple is closed during the month of February... :'(

- Indochina Day 2 -

(Saigon, Vietnam ~ Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Morning:

• Saigon City Tour

Afternoon:

• Bus ride to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

- Indochina Day 3 -

(Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Morning:

• Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
• Royal Palace
• Wat Phnom

Afternoon:

• Nganga sa Pillar Hotel lobby

Evening:

• Bus ride to Siem Reap, Cambodia

- Indochina Day 4 -

(Siem Reap, Cambodia)

Morning:

• Angkor Small Circuit temple tour
• Angkor Wat
• Angkor Thom
• Bayon Temple

Afternoon:

• Lunch at Angkor Thom eateries
• Angkor Small Circuit temple tour (continuation)
• Baphuon
• Terrace of the Elephants
• Phimeanakas/Royal Palace
• Terrace of the Leper King
• Preah Palilay
• Tep Pranam
• Ta Prohm
• Sunset at Phnom Bakheng temple

Evening:

• Night Market
• Apsara Dance Show + Buffet Dinner

- Indochina Day 5 -

(Last day in Siem Reap)

Morning:

• Sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Angkor Grand Circuit tour
• Preah Khan Temple
• Neak Pean Temple
• Pre Rup Temple
• Ta Som Temple
• East Mebon Temple

Afternoon:

• Lunch at Banteay Srei Restaurant
• Banteay Srei Temple
• Banteay Samre Temple
• Banteay Kdei Temple

Evening:

• Depart from Angkor International Airport :(

Special thanks to the following people who made the Adventures of Teh in Indochina successful:

• Riabacteria, Teh's travel buddy in Indochina
• Kuya Mikkey, our tour guide in Cu Chi tunnel
• Receptionists of Saigon Mini Hotel for Saigon City Tour Itinerary Suggestions
• Pillar Hotel bell boys sa pagbubuhat ng gamit nina Teh and Riabacteria
• Kuya Ttha, our tour tuktuk driver in Phnom Penh 
• Miss Sam So of Sam So Guesthouse Siem Reap 
• Kuya San, our tour tuktuk driver in Siem Reap 

Som a kunh! ^_^

Field trip nina Teh in Baguio

After shift, tumulak na sina Teh and former teammates to Baguio, Buti na lang, kahit pinaghiwa-hiwalay na nila kami, majority sa amin, magkaka-shift pa rin. So dizizit! Samahan sina Teh and friends sa aming adventures in Baguio! :D

Kasisimula pa lang ng trip pero nakaramdam na si Teh ng konting misadventures sa tiyan. Prepared naman ako, kaya lang, naparami ata ako ng inom ng tsaa. Goodluck talaga sa 6 hours na trip. Pero somehow, Teh managed to survived the bathroom dance feeling... >_<

Good morning Baguio! After roughly 11 years, finally, nakapag-McArthur si Teh dito. :)

One of the sweetest, yet coldest sunrise ever... (Charaught!)

6:45 AM, nakarating kami sa city proper. Bali-balitang malamig, super, 'nung nagpunta kami rito kaya heto, mega wear si Teh ng panlaban sa lamig. Not just one or two, but three! Napakaginawin ko kasi talaga. So first layer, normal na casual wear. 2nd layer, sweater. 3rd layer, brown, denim jacket. (Pati color specified. Trip lang.) At paglabas ng van... kulang ang effort. T_T Cold much! Parang puso ni Teh. Aww... (Charaught!)

Teh: Asan 'yung ruins??? @_@ (Chaught!)

~ Breakfast at Cafe By The Ruins ~

Ang mga kinain nina Teh and friends. Takaw mode!.. :))
P.S., panalo ang honey sa tea! ^_^'

Kahit 7 AM pa ang opening, pinayagan na kaming pumasok ng staff ng Cafe by the Ruins para sa buena mano breakfast ng team. The menu has promised dishes made from fresh, fine ingredients. And truelagen naman, dahil feel na feel ni Teh ang natural ingredients sa Duck Noodle Soup at Herb Tea na inorder ko. 










At mukhang nag-enjoy din naman ang mga kasama ko sa mga inorder nila. ^_^ Although needy na si Teh umupo sa trono nang mga moment na 'yon. T_T

First glances at the Grotto. Finally, I've seen you face to face. :)

~ Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto ~

Nagkaroon kami ng chance para mamili kung purely panhik by stairs or half-half ang gagawin naming pag-akyat dito. Salamat sa mga busy trucks na nagdaan, napapanhik ang aming sasakyan. So konti na lang aakyatin namin, yey! :D Sa parking, may mga nagtitinda ng candles of different colors for Php 20 per 5 pieces. So kung marami kang wish, mega buy na mga teh! At kung sakali namang tumanggi kang bumili ng wishing candles sa baba at nagbago ang isip mo tulad ni Teh, worry not dahil may mga white candles pa namang for sale sa may Grotto mismo. Walang nakabantay na tindera pero konsyensya na lang din. Php 3 per candle. :)

Although nagpunta na si Teh noon sa Baguio, first time kong makapunta rito. As a Christian pilgrim, this visit should be on your itinerary. Rewarding din ang magagandang landscape views dito sa taas ng Grotto.

Teh: ... -_- (Shhh, nagdadasal eh.)

After ng photo ops, dasal at wishing upon the candles, bumaba na sina Teh.

~ Baguio Pines Transient House ~

Overnight rate: Php 7000

The views by the window and the veranda... ~_~

Ah, finally. Our home sweet home in Baguio... Great view by the veranda. Samahan mo pa ng cool Baguio breeze... Very contemplating. ^_^

Before we went here, we had to kill some more time sa grocery (at sa van like Teh and sleepy friends) after the Grotto visit kasi 11:30AM pa kami makakapag-check in. Since we did not stay on a hotel, we need to secure the food that we will be cooking, toiletries and other basic house survival necessities. :D

The bedrooms and the bathrooms...

Pumunta kami rito na nasa 16 ang head count, including the kids. Pero sa palagay ni Teh, hanggang 18 adults, kasya rito, considering a comfortable stay. Sa 2nd floor, may dalawang family room, each equipped with toilet. Sa 3rd floor, kung saan natulog si Teh, may 2 rooms na kasya ang 4 pax each. Sa labas ng 3rd floor rooms, may nakalatag na 2 double-sized foam beds. Kaya party-party kami sa 3rd floor, kasi 11 kaming nag-stay do'n. Yeah! :))

Living room, kitchen, dining area and 2nd floor veranda.

Sa 1st floor naman, nando'n ang mga typical portions ng bahay. living room with fireplace, dining area, kitchen, at ang favorite ni Teh ~ ang overlooking terrace na pang-moment! ^_^

At dahil hindi na rin kami makatulog pare-pareho, nag-early lunch na lang kami ng napamiling liempo and lechong manok. Yummm, healthy! X_X

The very healthy breakfast ~ liempo and lechong manok. X_X
(Ba't ba?! Pasarapan ng buhay! :D)

And in a while, natupad ang pangarap ni Teh ~ ang mahawakan ang clouds! Nasa heaven na ba kami??? :))

This is the foggy Baguio for you! Heaven! :D

Sun down at Camp John Hay... 

~ Camp John Hay Outlet Stores ~

After the early lunch and the afternoon nap, we decided to visit Camp John Hay's outlet stores. Wala namang nabili si Teh pero ang mga kasama ko, namili ng chocolates dito. Quite cheap, pero wala eh. Diet mode kunwari si Teh. :)) Aside from chocolates and other imported goodies, you can find branded clothes, accessories, perfume and bags here. 

The elegant Manor... Siguradong mahal ang lodging dito.
Hanggang tingin ka na lang... </3

~ The Manor's Bakeshop ~

Moving further uphill from the outlet stores of Camp John Hay, we dropped by The Manor Hotel's bakeshop. Ang chika kasi, masarap ang mga baked goods na itinitinda nila rito. Aside from the bakeshop, Teh had a good look on the hotel lobby and restaurant. All I can say is that, natural is elegant. ;)

~ Vizco's Cake Shop ~

At dahil pare-pareho naming alam na wala pang nalutong dinner, bumili muna ang team ng cakes sa Vizco's. Sa lahat naman ng mga pantawid-gutom, isa ito sa pinaka-fulfilling sa tummy ~ Strawberry shortcake (for youngsters) and Ube cake (para raw sa mature)! Kahit hindi na magluto ng dinner... Pero siyempre, iba-ibang level naman ang gutom ng mga kasama ni Teh, so sige, meryenda lang 'to! :))

Vizco's along the Session road and Teh's plateful of their cakes!
A meeting of youngster and mature cakes. :D

Matapos mamroblema nina Kuya PJ at Kuya Jed sa pagpapaapoy...
F/P party by the fireplace! Yeah! :D

~ Mini Party ng F/P Team by the Fireplace ~

Pagkatapos maglamiyerda sa labas ng transient house, dizizit! The much-awaited and the belated exchange gift ng team! Probably, this is one of the best Christmas Parties Teh ever had. Thanks sa fireplace ng transient house... ♥^_^♥

Special thanks sa mga tindahang ito along the way... ^_^

Salamat pala sa nakabunot sa akin, ang new team lead ko na si Teh Andy. Binigyan niya ako ng travel guide book. Yey! May updated atlas na si Teh! ^_^ Special thanks din pala sa Abundance Store para sa panggatong na ginamit namin sa fireplace at sa Store Plus Convenience store for our chips and, ehem, party drinks! :))

~ Citylight Hotel Resto-Bar ~

Dahil nagpakawala ng bonggang usok ang fireplace after maubos ng panggatong, nag-decide ang team na iwanan muna ang bahay. Super toxic kasi! X_X

So after the fireplace fiasco, ipinagpatuloy namin ang party-party sa Resto-Bar ng Citylight Hotel. Hindi naman sa bitin kami pero para mas makapagkuwentuhan kami nang wala ring nagagalit na Koreanong kapitbahay. Hahaha.

Shot with F/P friendships and the night view outside the Transient House's veranda... :)

As usual, Teh ordered a glass of Jack[1] and then paired it with Kani Tempura with red ginger. Yum! ^_^ >burrrrrrrp!<

~ The Mansion ~

The first destination of the team on our 2nd day in Baguio is the Mansion. Ang chika eh, kapag dumadalaw sa Baguio ang presidente ng Pilipinas, dito siya tumitira. Kaya maraming soldiers na nakabantay ditey. Very Americanized ang look, at hindi siya nagbago since my childhood. Pero pansin lang ni Teh, kahit dumumi ang swamp sa tapat ng Mansion, may mga isda pa ring nabubuhay at nag-i-struggle mabuhay doon. :))

Welcome to Teh's Mansion! (Feeler much...)

~ Street food trip at Baguio ~ 

Kahit saan pa kayo mapadpad dito sa Baguio, 'wag kalimutang subukan ang mga sumusunod ~ inihaw na dried pusit, inihaw na mais, at ang panalo sa lahat, ang strawberry taho with free straw! :D

Chow time! Street food kayo diyan! ^_^

Murdered, but living. Struggling to survive the cold world. (Chaught!)

~ The "Murdered" Tree ~

Something that was murdered could have died, but sometimes  the act of murder becomes an expression of art. Good example ay ang punong ito in the middle of nowhere. So mga teh, enjoy exploring ang bawat sulok ng punong ito. Amazingly beautiful, most especially for people who have eyes for woodcarvings... ;)

~ Mines View Park ~

Mawala na lahat ng Baguio destination sa checklist ni Teh, 'wag lang ito! Don't forget to grab the opportunity to meet, greet and have a photo with the most famous St. Bernard in Baguio ~ Douglas! Just bring your own cameras. Php 20 for single shot and Php 50 for 3 shots! ^_^

Moments at Mines View that completed Teh's Baguio adventures... ^_^
Top photo, from left to right: Kuya James, Kuya Marlon, Teh Jen, Kuya Noel, Teh, and Teh Ria

Kung tinamad dumaan (or hindi mo kineri ang smell) sa Wright Park para mag-horseback riding, worry not dahil you can have a photo op with a beautiful horse here at Mines View! Pahihiramin ka pa ni kuya caretaker ng cowboy hat! Php 10 per camera shot. :)

At dahil nag-uulan at nilamon na ng ulap ang view dito noong nagpunta kami, just to give you an idea on the breathtaking view, heto ang picture ng batang Teh. Hehehe... :))

The view at the Mines View when Teh was young... classic.
Ahm, hindi po si Teh ang view. (GGSS[2] lang?!) :))

Actually, kahit ito lang puntahan mo sa Baguio, unless gusto mo ring mag-strawberry fields, kumpleto na ang adventures mo! Kabayo, Douglas the dog and Baguio's landscape ~ andito lahat! ^_^

~ Lunch at Forest House ~

As recommended by Teh Ria for food trip, pagkatapos naming mag-adventure sa Mines View Park, dito kami nag-lunch. Puwede sa mga healthy living people tulad namin ang mga food dito. (Kelan pa???)

Welcome, welcome! ^_^

Mushroom soup, dinuguan, lechong sisig, lechong kawali + gulay... Healthy 'no? :)) Ah basta, pasarapan naman ng buhay ito mga teh kaya let's eat! Minsan lang 'to! ^_^ (Gaano kadalas ang minsan?... @_@)

Suggestion lang mga teh. Mas makakamura kayo kung magga-gather ang apat or lima sa grupo ninyo para umorder ng combo dishes. May soup, main course dishes like liempo and veggies, isang bandehadong kanin (feeling ni Teh ganyan kadami eh), at desserts! Winner! :D

And kung katulad ni Teh, adik kayo sa tsaa, Strawberry Tea is highly recommended! Mabango na, masarap pa! ^_^

Our "healthy" and delicious dishes...
Combo-finished with Strawberry Tea and mouthwatering desserts. ^_^

~ Pasalubong hunting nina Teh and friends ~

Dito sa Baguio, saan ka man mapadpad na tourist attraction, hinding-hindi ka mawawalan ng tindahang mabibilhan ng pasalubong. Wright Park, Mines View Park, Grotto, and many more! Pero Teh recommends the following...

Kung mamimili sa Mines View Park, bumaba muna kayo sa bandang viewdeck para makapagtanong-tanong ng mga presyo. 'Wag bibili agad at tumawad nang bongga kapag maraming bibilhin. Pero para kay Teh, it's still best to go to the public market kasi nando'n na lahat. Handicrafts, the famous Baguio walis tambo, cheap veggies (as in kailangan mo ng bayong, super mura kaya mapaparami ka ng bili), pinipig at sundot-kulangot of different sizes (small and big) ~ lahat mabibili mo na rito! ^_^

A souvenir of Baguio everywhere... Bili-bili na mga teh! ^_^

For the famous Good Shepherd products like Ube Jam, Strawberry Jam, Peanut Brittle and other sweet delicacies, you can visit the Good Shepherd Convent's livelihood store. Buy direct from our sisters and convent's beneficiaries! Nakatulong ka na, may pasalubong ka pa! And actually, mas mahal ng konti sa palengke compared dito kasi nga direct from manufacturer. But in case of last minute buying, it's not bad to buy in the public market as well... ;)

Mga napamili ni Teh: Good shepherd goodies, breads from the Manor,
Strawberry Wine, Veggies at Pinipig. Checklist completed! ^_^

At para maiba rin, para sa mga mahilig sa shot, bili na ng Strawberry Wine! Php 100 per bottle. Tagay na! :))

~ Mr. Ching Cuisine ~

For our last food trip in Baguio, dito na kami kumain since nasa baba lang ito ng hotel ng friends nina Kuya PJ at Kuya Lem, sa Baguio Palace Hotel. By the name of the restaurant itself, mahirap hulaang Chinese food ang pagkain dito. :))

Anyway, pahinga-pahinga rin sa karne and fat overload ng mga nakaraang Baguio food trip. For the last time in Baguio, we had to be health-conscious na. Like, for real. (Arte?!) Seafood, tofu at gulay naman ang peg nina Teh and friends. Yum! Sulit na ang small-sized orders para sa 2-3 persons. Kahit small ang size, malaki na ang serving. Mura pa, kasi marami kayong makakapaghati! :)

Teh, ikaw gusto Chinese food? Kain dito ikaw Mr. Ching! :D

The 1st ever Starbucks Coffee Baguio. Kape-kape rin! :D

~ The First Starbucks Baguio ~

First attempt to tambay here failed dahil puno rito lagi (at kumusta naman ang size ng team), so dumaan na lang kami rito bago bumaba ng Baguio. Not a typical tourist spot pero ito lang naman ang first Starbucks dito sa Baguio. 'Yun lang. Masabi lang na napuntahan at nakita 'to ni Teh. Pareho lang ang lasa ng kape rito sa ibang Starbucks. (Aba'y dapat, kundi, hindi Starbucks 'to!) :))

Baon ang mga masasayang alaala, sina Teh and friends ay bumalik ng Manila nang may ngiti sa kanilang mga mata... (Chaught!) Napaghiwa-hiwalay man kami sa opisina, sa gala hinding-hindi nila kami mapaghihiwalay. >:))

Sunset along the way... ♥

Maikli man at medyo konti ang napuntahan nina Teh and friends (mas masaya kasi ngumanga altogether 'pag marami kayo), sana ay kinapulutan ninyo kahit papaano ng konting tips ang chika ni Teh about Baguio. Till Teh's next adventure/misadventure! Thank you so much for visiting! ^_^

Special thanks to the following people who made the Adventures of Teh in Baguio successful:

• Fast and Pluto team for the memories (aww...)
• Kuya Lem for the transpo and discount sa transient house
• Kapitbahay naming Koreano sa transient house :))

~ Vocabulary ni Teh ~

[1] Jack - Jack Daniel's Bourbon. 
[2] GGSS - Gandang-ganda/Guwapong-guwapo sa sarili. :))

Pasalubong 101: The Kingdom of Siam

Before we can finally leave this kingdom, samahan muli si Teh sa kanyang pasalubong hunting! ^_^

At bago magpakalango sa pagsha-shopping, be warned first about withdrawing money from ATMs. It is highly recommended to withdraw abroad using BDO ATM card. Sigurado kasing makaka-withdraw ka, unlike BPI which is normally deactivated for international ATM withdrawals. Hassle, kasi ang feedback kay Teh ng BPI before flying to Thailand was that it can be used readily outside the Philippines, which is the same feedback from BDO. 'Yun pala, ang BPI ATM card, kailangan mo pang ipa-activate. Muntik na akong maiyak no'n dahil diyan. Buti na lang, may BDO ATM card ang kasama ni Teh. Kalurks talaga. 

Some of the widely spread ATM machines in Thailand that you can trust are of UOB, Siam Commercial Bank and Krungthai Bank. So never kang mawawalan ng paghuhugutan ng pera (pero ang pera, may chance maubos, huhu!)... ;)

Don't get me wrong mga Teh. Hindi ko ipapasalubong sa inyo ang buong Kaharian ng Thailand. But Thailand, most especially Bangkok, is a shopping wonderland! Branded or cheap apparel, bag, shoes ~ you can find it here! :)

So let's explore shops in Bangkok first. You know mga teh, napakaraming shopping malls sa Bangkok. Pero there are 3 malls which I suggest that you visit, depende sa hanap ninyo. Check this out~~~

Mall: Siam Paragon

What to find here: Internationally famous brands ng damit, sapatos, bag, accessories, perfume and many more! Basta branded! :D

How to get here: When riding the BTS Skytrain, alight at Siam station.

Mall: MBK Mall

What to find here: Fake brand and local Thailand brand apparel, shoes and Thailand souvenirs

How to get here: When riding the BTS Skytrain, alight at the National Stadium station.

Pratunam Shopping District.
Shop till you drop, literally. :D

Mall: Platinum Fashion Mall

What to find here: Trendy apparel and shoes. Bihira ang branded dito, mga teh.

How to get here: When riding the BTS Skytrain, alight at Chit Lom station.

By the way, it is also recommended that you check out the I Am Viking store located at the connecting link of the MBK mall and the National Stadium BTS Skytrain station. The store is being managed by a Burmese lady. Buy 10 cute shirts, get 1 free! ^_^

Sa mga adik sa tiangge, Teh highly recommends that you visit Pratunam area in Bangkok. Ang chika eh dito nanggagaling ang supply ng mga bentables sa Divisoria. At marami ring Thailand souvenirs dito na puwedeng ipasalubong sa mga friendships and relatives, as in kahit dito ka na mamili ng lahat ng gusto mong iuwi from Thailand! Kaya galingan ang pagtawad at pamamakyaw. Don't forget to bring your shopping bags and enjoy shopping! ^_^

Mga na-harvey ni Teh sa Bangkok. :D
Top and bottom rows: Pratunam loots
Middle row: I Am Viking store loots

Sa mga turistang shopping ang main target sa Bangkok, highly recommended din ang pag-lodge within the area, tulad ng ginawa nina Teh. For hotel suggestion, Teh recommends The Richy Place hotel, located in the heart of Pratunam. As in, pagbaba mo pa lang ng hotel, tiangge agad! :D

Excited shopper? Stay at The Richy Place! Just ride the elevator then TAH-DAH!
Shopping wonderland! ^_^

Souvenir stall in Wat Mahathat. 
Buy at competitive prices! :D

When you go to the countryside tourist spots of Thailand like those in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, mostly mga tourist souvenirs and Buddha images ang mabibili mo roon. Pero napansin ko lang, mas mura ang mga souvenirs sa probinsya. Lalo na sa Ayutthaya. Napansin ko kasi noong nakapila sina Teh sa mala-box office na toilet ng Wat Mahathat, nasa THB 90 lang ang 10 pieces na golden elephant keychains (na may secret pocket, hehehe)! Well, in Pratunam, the set is more expensive by THB 10 but in most areas of Bangkok, it ranges from around THB 150 to THB 180. Mga ganyan ang price difference. So it is highly recommended that you buy souvenirs sa provinces like Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. Oh and one more thing. You might be interested in bringing home a local Thailand sepak rattan ball. ;)


A piece of warning din mga teh. Mahal ang souvenirs sa Floating Market, as I had mentioned here. So it is not recommended to shop there. 

Kanchanaburi souvenir shops. Also offers competitive prices! :D
From top left photo, clockwise: Straw hats, cowboy hats and salakot; 
Souvenir alley in Tham Kra Sae. Dito nakabili si Teh ng Thailand tourist map; 
Inside a Tham Kra Sae souvenir store;
Artworks on a Carabao Skin, price starts from THB 2500.

Buddhist statues everywhere. Buy na mga teh! :)

Since you are visiting the center of Buddhism, hindi naman siguro masama kung mag-uwi ka ng maski isang Buddha image. If you want to take home bronze Buddha images, bili na you sa Buranathai Buddha Foundry in Phitsanulok! Suggestion ni Teh kapag bibili ka rito ng Buddha image, know beforehand kung anong araw ka ipinanganak sa mundong ito. Like for Teh, I was born on a Wednesday. And so, Buranathai staff suggested that I should buy the Buddha image holding a bowl. 'Yun daw kasi 'yung lucky Buddha image for Teh. So don't be shy! Tell them your day of birth and you will get to know your lucky Buddha image... which reminds me of Angel Uriel during Teh's Bohol souvenir hunting... ;)

For a bronze Buddha or other Buddhist statue, Teh would say na mura dito. And to think na real gold ang plating nito, sulit na siya mga teh. Prices range from THB 150 to THB 1500 (or higher), depende sa size ng iyong bibilhin. For pocket bronze statues, you can get them at THB 30 to THB 50. Haggling is accepted naman, so tawad-tawad din. :)

Aside from the bronze statues in Buranathai, at every temple, you can find Buddhist statues made of other material like resin and wood. And aside from the Buddhist figures, the beautiful Thailand elephant gold keyrings are highly recommended as pasalubong. Task para sa pasasalubungan ng keyring ~ hanapin ang secret pocket! ^_^

Mga na-harvey ni Teh sa Thailand:
Elephant keychains, Buddha statues, and a fat monk.

Clockwise from left:
VAT Refund form, Buddhist items stores,
Dried seafood shop beside Wat Pho.

By the way, Teh came across the VAT Refund form at Suvarnabhumi Airport. If you plan to shop at malls that issue receipts, don't forget to fill up the VAT Refund form and show this to any shop you'll be shopping at.

Edible pasalubong ni Teh:
Dried fruits, Spicy Tamarind (Winner!),
Taro Fish Snack (♥)

Actually, mas recommended ni Teh ang pagkain as pasalubong. I don't know why, pero kasi feeling ni Teh, mas na-appreciate 'to ng mga napapasalubungan ko. Sadya lang bang mahilig kumain ang mga tao sa universe ko? :)) Highly recommended ang pag-uuwi ng Spicy Tamarind. Buti na lang talaga at may tour guide si Teh, kung hindi, wala akong maiuuwing ganito sa aking universe. Una sa lahat, hindi ako nakakabasa ng Thai. >.<

And there is this one souvenir hunting tip na gusto kong i-share sa inyo mga teh. Buy in Thailand (or kahit saan ka man mapadpad) what you cannot buy here in the Philippines. Tulad na lang ng mapang binili ni Teh sa Kanchanaburi. Well meron din namang Thailand map dito sa atin, kaso ang pricey. (Arteh?...) Besides, for me, maganda ang mapang nabili ko dahil meron siyang tourist attractions indicator all over Thailand. Teh bought the map for THB 40, though sinubukan kong tawaran, eh kaso wala talagang patawad... Pero ok na rin, at least favorable ang souvenir na ito for Teh's collection. :)

Another addition to Teh's travel souvenir ~ the Thailand Sketchbook! I bought this in Suvarnabhumi Airport's bookstore though. Ideal gift for sketch lovers! ^_^

Explore Thailand with this sketchbook. ^_^

Alam kong nakahuhumaling mag-shopping sa Thailand. Pero don't forget mga teh na naka-abang ang mga teh at kuyang taga-Customs sa arrival. Kung mukha na kayong magtatayo ng tiangge stall sa Divi eh baka maharang at ma-tax-san ang mga na-shopping ninyo. (Gulo/laslas itey kung sakali!) At 'wag din kalimutan ang baggage allowance na naka-allot sa return flight niyo para hindi mapaiyak sa biglaang gastos! ;)

Check-in baggage weight = 17.4 kg
Pasok sa banga! Yey! :D

So there you have it, mga teh at kuya. I hope na 'pag naisipan ninyong pumunta ng Thailand, makatulong ang chika ni Teh, not only sa pagbili ninyo ng pasalubong, pero sa buong tour ninyo. Till we meet again, Thailand! Teh will surely miss you! :*>

Next adventure in line... Baguio Field Trip with Teh's favorite teammates! Coming soon! :D

Special thanks to the following people who made the Adventures of Teh in Thailand successful:

• Little Pig's Adventures for some information about Thailand
• Cebu Pacific Air (kahit hindi nila alam) for their promo fares
• Tour Coordinators Matt and Supattra of Travel Hub Thailand
• Tour Guide Robbie and Tour Driver Sakol of Travel Hub Thailand

Siam Food Trip and the Pad Thai Chronicles

To summarize the places that we've been, I believe that the best way to do it is through sharing what Teh had eaten in each place we visited in Thailand. Here are the dishes and street foods that Teh believes na hindi mo dapat ma-miss tikman when visiting Thailand. Uh, well, when visiting NAIA as well... Warning: Nakakagutom! :D..

~ Kaishu Restaurant + Dimsum 'N Dumplings To-Go ~

Location: NAIA 3 International Departure Area

Rating: ✰✰✰✰

Tutal, hindi sa Japan at China ang punta ni Teh, Japanese food at Chinese food ang kinain  ko para hindi ko sil ma-miss sa Thailand... Pero pagdating ng Thailand, medyo hindi ko sila na-miss. Anyway, sa mga 'yan, ang order ni Teh ay ang Zaru Soba, which is a cold buckwheat noodle meal with shoyu dip. Sa lahat ng Jap Resto na nakainan ko, dito lang ako nakakain ng Zaru Soba na may raw quail egg. Masarap pala siya ihalo sa shoyu dip. ^_^ Rating ni Teh? 4 stars, because till now, I don't know if authentic ba ang mga nakakainan kong Jap food. (Gomen!... One day...)

Zaru Soba Cold Noodles (Teh's favorite), Siomai (from DnD) and Crab and Corn Ramen.
Jap food is ♥!...

~ The Not-so-famous Baan-Si-Ri-Tha-Na-Sub Original Thaifood Karindirya ~

Location: Pratunam, Bangkok, Near Ratchaparop Soi 5

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

Dahil 8AM ang start ng Day 1 tour, we had to wake up early to eat breakfast, take a bath and prepare ourselves. Since 6AM kami gumising, wala pang open na mga kainan gaano so we ended up eating in a very expensive Thai karindirya, which is the only eatery na bukas ng 7AM. Mahal man ang Pad Thai (THB 150) at Spicy Chicken Rice (THB 100) nila, masarap naman. As in, parang skills na lang din talaga ang binayaran namin. (O baka 'pag alam nilang hindi Thai, binibigay nila 'yung pang-tourist nilang menu, if you know what I mean...)

First blood! First Thai food experience in Thailand. ^_^
Pad Thai ranking: 2nd! (May makakatalo sa kanya, later.)

~ Wan Fah? Non-floating Buffet Restaurant ~

Location: Bangkok, beside Chao Phraya river, near Chinatown

Rating: ✰✰✰✰ (Pero 5 stars for the Vietnamese noodles...)

Nope, this is not the cruise ship buffet. And I'm not even sure if this restaurant is named Wan Fah too. Pero sabi ng blurred pic ni Teh, Wan Fah ito. Hahaha. 

Medyo international ang buffet dishes at masarap din, pero sa lahat ng nakain ni Teh, ang pinaka-favorite ko ay 'yung lasang Vietnamese Noodle Soup. Dahil diyan, naka-take two si Teh nito. Yum, yum!!! ^_^

Travel around the world through Wan Fah's Non-floating Resto dishes.
Vietnamese-like Noodle Soup is ♥!...

~ Indra Square Food Court ~

Location: Pratunam, Bangkok

Rating: ✰✰✰

By 4PM, natapos kami mag-tour. So after taking a quick nap sa hotel, we had planned to visit the Platinum Mall sana. Kaya lang noong nagising si Teh, sarado na ang mall pati ang mga tindahan along Ratchaparop Road, at umuulan pa. :( So instead of going back to the hotel, we decided na kumain na lang ng dinner sa Indra Square, which is near to our hotel...

Well, medyo hindi na-satisfy si Teh sa Pad Thai rito. Palibhasa, nakatikim na si Teh ng Pad Thai kinaumagahan at nataong ibang level talaga ang sarap ng nakain ko that morning. So lesson learned, just like any other dish, 'pag iba-ibang tao ang nagluluto, statistically iba-iba rin ang nagiging lasa. Anyway, puwede na rin. :)

At dito lang din ako nakainom ng Thai Milk Tea na sobrang tamis, akala mo eh wala nang bukas si ate para magpalaklak ng asukal. X_X Mas gusto ko pa 'yung naiinom ko rito sa Pinas. Partida, pinabawasan ko na ng bongga ang asukal niyan before mixing. T_T

Dinner nina Teh:
Green Papaya Pad Thai (healthy naman siya) and super tamis na Thai Milk Tea. X_X
Pad Thai ranking: 4th... 

~ 7-11 Edibles ~

Location: Anywhere in Bangkok

Rating: ✰✰✰

Medyo nawirduhan lang si Teh sa mga Thai dahil mga 7AM na, bukod sa expensive karindirya, wala pa gaanong bukas na mga kainan sa Pratunam. So noong Day 2, wala kaming choice kundi mag-almusal ng pagkain sa 7-11. Puwede nang pantawid-gutom, hehehe. At infairness, masarap 'yung pancit canton nila. :D

Day 2 morning pantawid-gutom: Chicken nuggets wrapped in Nori,
Microwaved Pancit Canton with free carcinogen and Chicken Burger

~ Other Thai Street Foods ~

Location: Here, there, everywhere

Rating: ✰✰✰✰

Si Robbie, maya't maya 'pag may nadadaanan kaming street food at feeling niya gutom na sina Teh, binibilhan niya kami. Unang street food na natikman namin ay 'yung fried sweet potato fries and balls. Without adding brown sugar, matamis na sila by themselves. :)

Clockwise from Top Left Photo:
Fried Kamote Balls and Fries, Corn Waffle,
Lutuan ng Thai Takoyaki, 6pcs.Thai Takoyaki

From Maeklong Train Market, while walkng to the place where our tour van was parked, binilhan ni Robbie sina Teh ng Thai Takoyaki at Corn Waffle. The Thai Takoyaki is worth THB 10 per 6 pieces while for the Waffle, 'di alam ni Teh kasi mag-isa si Robbie 'nung binili niya 'yan. Anyway, 'yung Thai Takoyaki, medyo similar ang taste niya sa maja blanca. Coconut milk kasi ang main ingredient niya. At ang corn waffle, masarap na siya even without syrup. ^_^

Counterclockwise from Top Left Photo:
Sticky rice and fried chicken with sweet and spicy sauce,
Cassava chips, Buko juice, Hotdogs in sweet and spicy sauce

On our search for breakfast during our 3rd day, before leaving Bangkok, medyo napaaga kami ng konti sa paglabas ng hotel papuntang 7-11 to buy breakfast. Sakto, may naabutan kaming fried chicken on a cart and sticky rice. Yey! Kahit pa fried ang manok, puwede na rin kasi at least, sigurado kaming tunay na pagkain ang kakainin namin, if you know what I mean... And we realized na lang na masuwerte pala kami at nakakain kami ng sticky rice noong sinabi ni Robbie na pang-special occasion lang pala 'yon. ^_^

Also, during our 2-hour ride on the death railway in Kanchanaburi, napabili kami ng sweet and spicy cassava chips for THB 20. Walang pagsisi sa pagbili nito dahil napakasarap niya! As in... :) Nabanggit din ni Robbie na kaya mura ang cassava chips kasi sa Thailand, nasa THB 2 ang presyo ng cassava per kilo. Murang-mura nga, mga Php 14 lang! @_@

Napakarami pang street food sa Thailand na either dapat mong i-try or ipantawid-gutom. Maraming pagkakaparehas halos sa mga street food natin, pero ang nakita kong pagkakaiba talaga ay 'yung pagiging healthy ng majority ng mga common Thai street food, as compared with ours. 

~ Vanda International Buffet Restaurant ~

Location: Rose Garden, Nakhon Pathom

Rating: ✰✰✰✰

Vanda's buffet has a great pad thai! Pasok sa top 3 ng Pad Thai Chronicles ni Teh! :D

Pad Thai and other international dishes...
Pad Thai ranking: 3rd!

Aside from Pad Thai, dahil maraming foreign tourists ang dumadayo rito for the cultural shows, para sa mga hindi gaanong adventurous, this is your food comfort zone. They have Chinese, English, Japanese, Indian and other dishes that this restaurant may offer. Also, para makatulong sa digestion, don't forget to try their teas on the side. Lemongrass tea is highly recommended. :)

Wide variety of international dishes... here at Vanda Restaurant! ^_^
(Japanese Doll not included...)
Choose your dish. :)

~ The Carded International Food Avenue ~
Location: MBK Mall, Bangkok
Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

To start this food trip game, you are given a THB 1000 pre-loaded card na puwede mong i-consume within the International Food Avenue. Here, you can choose among different Asian and Western dishes. Eh siyempre si Teh, dahil feel na feel ko ang Thailand, Thai dish ang kinain namin. At dahil na-love-at-first-bite si Teh sa noodles na ito, Pad Thai forever ang peg! :D Taste a 5-star hotel restaurant treated Pad Thai noodles for only THB 120 per order! ^_^

Ang walang kamatayang Pad Thai noodles... ^_^
Rank 2 rin! Tie with the karindirya Pad Thai. :D

After playing the food trip game, pay what you had consumed at the cashier. Thank you! Come again... ;)

~ Tham Kra Sae Restaurant ~

Location: Krasae, Kanchanaburi

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

Sa lahat ng Pad Thai na nakain ko, ito ang pinakamasarap para kay Teh. Matapos ang kain namin sa expensive karindirya, heto at may bago na kaming top 1 Pad Thai dish restaurant! Pero sabi ni Robbie, hindi raw authentic ang luto nila. Designed kasi ang timpla nila for the foreign tongue. But then, till now, I don't know the answer to the question of how an authentic Pad Thai dish should taste. @_@

Pad Thai ranking: 1st! ^_^ (Kahit hindi raw authentic...)

Anyway, hindi ko makakalimutan ang kainang ito. Bukod sa napakagandang view by the table and the delicious Pad Thai, habang si Teh ay kumukuha ng tsaa, napagkamalan akong Thai ng Burmese waitress ng Tham Krasae restaurant. Ang saya, kasi papasa pala si Teh na maging Thai hahaha! :D Pero nadama ko ang lungkot ni teh Burmese 'nung sinabi niyang "I don't know how to speak Thai, so I always worry how to speak to them... :(" Kaya mo 'yan, teh. Ipon-ipon din para makauwi ka ng Burma. (Kung 'yun man ang purpose niya sa pagtatrabaho doon...) :)

~ Local Ayutthaya Night Carinderia ~

Location: Ayutthaya (duh?)

Rating: ✰✰✰✰

Beer and veggies = perfect combination! ^_^
(Healthy rin naman ang beer in some way...)

Bahagi pa rin ng Ayutthaya immersion, nag-dinner ang buong Teh Thai Tour Team sa isang local night restaurant. At siyempre pa, hindi ko pinaglagpas ang chance na matikman ang pambansang beer ng Thailand ~ Singha[1] Beer! Perfect combination with spicy food! Although mild lang ang bilin namin sa timpla ng pickled cabbage with salted egg, super spicy pa rin. Pero those dishes were not spicy at all for Thais. X_X

Pareho halos ang mga gulay na kinakain nila doon at logical naman dahil nga tropical country din ang Thailand. Magkaiba lang nga ng luto. At ibang level ang anghang ng food nila. But still, very delicious! ^_^

~ Chaba Lagoon and Botanical Garden Restaurant ~

Location: Chai Nat

Rating: ✰✰✰ + ✰ for ambiance

The Garden part of Chaba Lagoon and the fat dog.

Somewhere in Chai Nat, while travelling up north to Phitsanulok, we had our lunch stopover here at Chaba Lagoon Restaurant. Personally, hindi gaanong nasarapan si Teh sa food (well, more of naumay than dislike siguro), except lang sa sabaw na mala-sinigang ang taste. So far, 'yun ang favorite ni Teh among all dishes served. 

Chaba Lagoon dishes.
Infairness, masarap 'yung pancit at curry :)

At sobrang nagustuhan ko ang place na ito. Aside from the botanical garden, here you'll find a statue of Ganesha[2], Buddha, and a young monk. Great ambiance with great landscape! Isama mo pa diyan ang fat home dog nila na busog palagi sa mga tira ng customers... :) 

Ang lugar kung saan ko na-feel na parang gusto kong kainin lahat... @_@

~ Phitsanulok Night Market ~

Location: Phitsanulok (Haller?)

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

Food adventurers, this place is for you! Sa lahat ng night market na napuntahan ko, dito lang ako nakakita ng fried insects. Pero hindi na nag-attempt si Teh na tumikim para safe. Mahirap na, baka mapano ang tiyan ko habang bumibiyahe kami pa-North the following day...

Dito, struggle ang pagpili ni Teh ng kakainin... @_@

Tropical fruits (most especially Dragonfruit!), fish triangle, street Pad Thai, maki, hotdogs, takoyaki, grilled meat, buko juice, and many more... Name it, you'll most likely find it here! :D

~ Amarin Nakorn Hotel Breakfast ~

Location: Phitsanulok

Rating: ✰✰✰ + ✰ for Value for Money

Na-surprise ako during check-in na may free breakfast pa palang kasama ang accommodation namin. Mura kasi ang accommodation para magkaroon pa kami ng free breakfast. Wala pa atang Php 1000 per night. Wow... @_@

Heavy breakfast at Amarin Nakorn's Restaurant. Busog much. >burppp!!!<

Well, typical American breakfast ang hinain sa amin. May 2 slices of bread, marmalade, butter, and your choice of coffee or tea. Akala ni Teh, doon na nagtatapos ang lahat. Hindi pala. Maya-mayang konti kasi, nanganak ang pagkain namin ng ham, egg, veggie, fruits at orange juice. Goodluck naman sa pag-ubos nito. X_X

~ Restaurant in the middle of nowhere ~

Location: Si Satchanalai

Rating: ✰✰✰ + ✰ for the music and natural ambiance

Sorry, hindi ko naitanong ang name ng resto na ito pero kung kukunin ninyo ang Bangkok to Chiang Mai tour package ng Travel Hub Thailand, most likely dito rin nila kayo dadalhin. Para siyang typical province backyard na nilagyan mo ng restaurant kaya don't miss taking pictures or kahit tumambay lang sa isa sa mga wooden swings dito. Also, during the whole time of your stay here, makakarinig kayo ng traditional music accompaniment dahil nagbebenta rin sila rito ng audio CDs nito. 'Wag din kaligtaang paglaruan at patugtugin ang Traditional Xylophone na nasa tabi ng music stall. ^_^

Extra-curricular activities: Wooden swing, Traditional Music Stall, and the Xylophone. :)

Aside from these extra-curricular activities, you can satisfy your tummy with these Thai food na very, very familiar sa taste buds nating mga Pinoy. Akalain mo, nakakain sina Teh dito ng Pancit Bihon, sinabawang gulay, at liempong manok. Uh well, wala nga lang Mang Tomas dito. Nakakain din kami rito ng beef teriyaki and kasama rin sa buffet meal ang coffee at tea... :)

Eat muna nito before mag-extra curricular activities. :D

~ Street Pad Thai ~

Location: Sukhothai / Anywhere in Thailand

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

Sa dinami-dami ng nilakad ni Teh dito sa Thailand, sa Sukhothai na ako nakakain ng street Pad Thai. (Finally!) Masarap na, mura pa! THB 30 only! :D At sa palagay ni Teh, ito ang authentic na luto ng Pad Thai ~ 'yung nasa kalye. ^_^

Pad Thai ranking: tie on 2nd... Sarap eh! Feels authentic pa. :)

~ Breakfast at TR Guesthouse ~

Location: Sukhothai

Rating: ✰✰✰✰

Dito ko na-realize na bongga pala talaga magpa-breakfast ang mga countryside hotels and guesthouses. Sobrang dami rin ng serving tulad ng sa Amarin Nakorn Restaurant kaya medyo may pagsisisi sa pag-order ni Teh ng Tomato Soup. Pero ang sarap ng American breakfast nila. Served with love... ♥ Iba talaga ang service 'pag guesthouse, feel na feel mo ang hospitality. ^_^

Kain-kain din ng heavy breakfast before a long journey... Yummiest American breakfast ever! ^_^

~ Noodles Stopover ~

Location: Approximately in Chai Nat

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

Our 1st stopover during the 6-hour travel back to Bangkok. So dito ko nalamang ang mala-Vietnamese style na noodle soup ay staple dish pala sa Thailand. Robbie's treat kaya nahiya akong mag-take two. Pero given a chance, baka nakatatlong order si Teh. :)))

Bukod sa masarap na noodles, hindi malilimutan ni Teh ang Myna bird na nakausap ko rito. Sabihan daw kami ng "Old lady" in Thai?! @$^#$)!$!)!!! Rawr! Kaya pala tawa ng tawa 'yung mga waitress doon. Hindi man lang Sawadee Ka 'yung sinabi eh... :)))

Chuvalou Eclavou Restaurant. ('Di ko mabasa eh.)
The lucky statues.
And the talking Myna bird who called Teh an old lady. :))

~ Platinum Mall Food Court ~

Location: Pratunam, Bangkok

Rating: ✰✰✰

After our tiring tiyangge shopping at Pratunam area, nag-dinner kami rito. Ewan ko ba kung nagsinungaling lang 'yung binilhan namin o ibang level lang talaga ang definition niya ng maanghang at hindi, pero napakain niya kami ng Thai noodles na sobrang anghang. Sabi niya kasi mild lang eh... Talagang hindi pa ako natuto sa Ayutthaya immersion tungkol sa definition ng Thai ng "mild". 'Yan tuloy, 'di kineri ni Teh! T_T Pero masarap siya, similar sa lasa ng Laksa noodles ng Singapore. Kaya okay na rin! ^_^

Well, may isa pa kaming kinain na meat noodle soup pero medyo hindi kami natuwa sa lasa. Sa bawat higop mo kasi, maaalala mo ang amoy ng bukirin sa probinsya. Gano'n! X_X

Ang mga noodles na nagpaluha kina Teh: 
Noodles na magpapaalala sa'yo ng amoy ng bukid at Laksa-taste noodles. Anghang much... T_T

It's sad but it's time to go... Again. :( Sana ay nabusog o nagutom kayo ni Teh sa Thailand food trip, kasi ako, nagutom at nag-crave habang nagta-type ng mga chika ko rito! @_@ Till our next food adventures, mga teh! ^_^

Bago tuluyang lisanin ang Thailand, let's explore the shops na nabisita ni Teh and know Teh's advices in buying pasalubong from this kingdom. Up next in the Adventures of Teh! Thanks for visiting! ^_^

Special thanks to the following people who made the Adventures of Teh in Thailand successful:

• Tour Coordinators Matt and Supattra of Travel Hub Thailand
• Tour Guide Robbie and Tour Driver Sakol of Travel Hub Thailand

~ Vocabulary ni Teh ~

[1] Singha - means lion in Buddhist language. Which reminds Teh of Singapura... ;)
[2] Ganesha - Elephant-headed Hindu God of Success.