Dinner @ Faces

While in Bangkok, Super Mowdil was insisting that we should have a fine dining dinner "thai style". Dearest friend didn't waste time and made reservations at the FACES Restaurant.


We left the ordering of food to Anton. We had green papaya salad, duck curry, beef, fish, etc... I was not able to take photos of the dishes because my iPhone doesn't have flash.

Main Entrance of FACES.



Donits: contemplating on how expensive his dinner was. And it never felt as is if it was fifteen thousand pesos. hahahaha! So Funny!


Super Mowdil: Skeptical whether to shoulder Anton's tab or not. Kidding! :) Remember, Anton ordered white wine! hahahaha.


And of course, Moi: Pretending everything's alright:


The food was not totally flabbergasting. But the dessert was to T.D.F. (To Die For!). I forgot what the name of the dessert was. It wa an assortment of desserts with ice cream and chocolates spread all over. Nonetheless, you pay for the ambiance.

Face is located at 29 Soi 38 Sukhumvit Road, Phrakanong, Klongtoey Bangkok, 10110, Thailand. Telephone: 02-713 6048l

Remembering Bangkok

Super Mowdil (Jaf), Donits (Donny) and I went to Bangkok last October 2009. This is my fourth visit. Yet, Bangkok as always is refreshing to visit. *wink*



Before departing, you have to fill out a departure card. Of all times why did I forget to bring a pen! I borrowed a pen from a guard but is asking money in return. I ended up giving the guard P20 for using his pen. Imagine how sucker for money people here are. This is sad.

We took PAL. The flight was smooth. I had an arguement with a stewardess. Before landing in Bangkok (we were not descending yet, we were still cruising at an altitude of god knows how high), we had to fill out an Arrival Card and all the details of my passort are saved in my iPhone. I took my iPhone from my pocket and this "old schooled" stewardess gave this poker face look and said "Ay sir! Hindi Pwede yan. You know the rules right?" I was trying to explain myself that prior to coming inside the aircraft my iPhone was on "Airplane" mode - meaning, the cellphone options are disabled. I cannot text or call. But she wouldn't listen to me. She kept on cutting me off and spoke over me everytime I explained it to her. So annoying! I think they needed to be educated on the latest gadgets and it's functionalities STAT. Grrr... what a way to start my vaca!

I look so "bangag" due to lack of sleep. The eyes! Yuck! Look at those dark rings around my eyes! How gross!!


Super Mowdil: Too much exhaustioin the previous night, slept almost the entire flight:


The flight was a little over three hours. Upon arrival at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the three pimps got excited and pumped.

We wasted no time: Had some photo op done before passing immigration:



Donits: All smiles and excited to explore the beauty of Bangkok:


Donits took this photo: What's up there? hmm...... Remember, Mowdil?


Immigration: Super Mowdil waiting for his turn:


We are staying at one of my dearest friend's apartment. So, after passing immigration we headed straight to the car rental desk. They had a promo! Drop off is 100% charge while pick up is at 50% off.

Waiting for our Limo (NOT!): We rented a Toyata Camry.


The ride from the airport to Dearest friend's apartment took almost 45minutes. Upon arrival at his apartment we were all in awe with the stuff he has acquired through travel all over the world. From the Chinese Wedding Cabinets to the Java Clay Pots... it was simply amazing. It was five star at its finest!

Main Door of the Apartment:


Upon entering you will be greeted by a short black bench on the left with a jar and some foreign magazines:


On your right, a wide mirror adorns the bare white wall. A black wooden cabinet is topped with an amber vase and vanilla-scented candles:


This is the living area:


This is his personal desk: artistically positioned right behind the living area


Chinese Wedding Cabinets:


Living area: Love the lamps!


Here we have the Imported Helpers posing beside the lamp:


On the second floor you will find three bedrooms - The master's bedroom and two guestrooms.

There's also a living area on this floor:



The gang posing in the master's bedroom:


One of the guestroom's have a queen sized bed. This is my room:


Super Mowdil and Donits were room mates. They were assigned to the guestroom with two double beds. I forgot to take photos of their room. I was totally relieved that I was not Donits roommate because i can't stand his snorring. He snors like a lion's roar.

Back to the living area, we were served with Thai's own version of chicharon with green chili paste:


Neem: Thai Pork Sausage eaten with lime, chili, ginger and cashew nuts


These "pika-pika" (appetizers) were served with a bottle of Asahi beer. Donits and I were ready to call it a night but Super Mowdil was so eager to got out and party. Super Mowdil wont stop "bribing" Donits to join him. Donits was too tired and ignored him. And of course super mowdil had no choice but to sleep. Thank God I slept alone in my room. Peace!

Home Cooking @ someone else's Home

Was invited for dinner at Donny's house last night (Saturday).

I seldom decline invites like this. I always enjoy eating home cooked dishes at friends houses. You want to try their own version of chicken pork adobo, relyenong bangus, etc...

Donny called up around 4:30pm:

Note: Our conversation was in Hiligaynon; translated in English

Donits: What are you doing?
Me: Nothing. We'll go to your house before dinner.
Donits: Have dinner here.
Me: Can I request for Liempo? (Donits' mom makes the BEST Liempo!)
Donits: No time to prepare it. Next time you must inform me in the morning.
Me: Ok. Anything goes.
Donits: Poca and I will do marketing and cook dinner.
Me: See you.
-end-

Donit's lives in Talisay which is about 6kms from where I live. We got to his place around 6:30pm. Donit was lucky that our old friend Poca Hontas was at his place to help him out.

Donits prepared his own version of pancit and chicken tinola. Poca brought lemon grass for the tinola.

Here's Donits' home-made Pancit which has slices of chinese chorizo. YUM!


Chicken Tinola: Lemon Grass was brought by Poca from Mountaiw View (Subdivision where he lives):


Poca made his own version of burger paties with mushroom-based gravy:


The Perfect Couple: Poca and Donits


After dinner we watched X-Men Orgins: Wolverine then called it a night. We brought Poca home. Poca invited us to go down when we got to his place. There was a party. We were so not dressed to the nines; not to mention that we were so tired. We declined the offer and went home instead. Next time. Next time. :)

Bora Vacation: Day 3

Woke up at 7:30am. Breakfast at 8:00am. The same pinoy breakfast. Swam from 9:30am until 10:45am. Went around the island. Had buko shake at Jones??? Was it Jones??? I needed new slippers so I went to Havaiana's bought black flipflops - nice! Wanted to go past Friday's Resort but was too tired to do so. Went back to Casa Pilar for lunch. We had grilled fish, gambas and pinakbet.

Moi, Mike and Audie: Waiting for lunch!


We were technically scheduled to go back to Bacolod on January 2 celebrating New Year in Bora. However, as fickle-minded as Your Highness is, he changed his mind and wanted to leave Bora on the 31st of December. Well, I said it was perfect at least we can spend New Year's with our family.

After lunch, we asked around what the earliest boat ride out of the island leaves. People said it's at 5:00am. Since we are leaving the following day, we maximized our time sun-bathing. We had to prove that we can get a tan in a short span of time (with the help of our sun tanning lotion, of course).

We rested from 6pm to 8pm. Then, had dinner at our favorite "pang tawid gutom" restaurant, Andok's! As I've mentioned WE HEART THEIR FRIED CHICKEN!!! After dinner, we went back to our hotel room packed our stuff and slept. Woke up at 4:30am and readied ourselves for another tiring trip back home.

We took the first boat out of Bora at 5:00am but it left fifteen minutes late. Upon arrival in Caticlan's Jetty Port, we asked around if there's a van going to Ilo-ilo directly. Unfortunately all vans are stopping in Kalibo. We opted to take the Ceres Bus that goes directly to Ilo-ilo. The worst was about to happen.

The bus we took passed by Antique and the trip that suppose to be 4 to 5 hours ended close to 7 hours! To make matters worse, the bus we took was non-aircon (Because that was the only available bus departing at 6am, the next bus (aircon) is leaving an hour later).

Look how crowded the bus is:


Is this allowed? Is this safe?


We arrived in Ilo-ilo at around 12:45pm. IMAGINE! Took a cab going to the Pier but we made a quick stop at Jollibee and ordered Jolly Yum! Arrived at the Pier around 1:10pm. Good thing SuperCat had a trip going back to BCD at 1:30pm. We availed their promo of P155 return trip by presenting our USED Outbound ticket.

The boat trip was super rough. We were delayed by 30 minutes. Thank God we arrived in Bacolod in once piece. Amen!

Bora Vacation: Day 2

I set the alarm at 8:00AM on our second day. We plan to have breakfast at the restaurant of the resort then head off to the beachfront and sun bathe.

We woke up early! At 7:15am we were up and about; did our morning rituals and off to the resort. I had a Filipino Breakfast (Longanisa) while Audie had American. While waiting for our food to arrive, Your Highness passed by and joined us for Breakfast. How ironic. Your Highness arrived 15 minutes late, yet his food arrived 10 minutes early. Just notice how BAD customer service is in the PH. I was kidding him that for the following days to come I am going to wear a mask of his face before I'll order so that they'll expedite their service. Customer Experience Management Training is required here ASAP!

Table for two???


After breakfast, your highness needed some sleeping hours while we headed off to the beach. It's swimming/sun bathing time!

Mama J's Hawaiian Tropic Sun Tanning lotion came in handy! So, we wasted no time and rubbed it all over our body. We spent about two hours bathing - swimming then bathe again. Swam again. Enough of the sun exposure for the day. We head off to station 3. Along the way, we were enticed by "Fruits In Ice Cream". Who can resist ice cream?

Audie had cookies & cream and choco mint while I had butter scotch & pistachio:



We went as far as Con-con colony (Carlo, remember Con-con colony?). There's this beautiful resort owned by the Cojuangcos (I hope I got my info correct) called Aysia. Here's the Oceanfront of the resort: Beautiful! I think those benches were made by world reknowned designer from Cebu, kenneth Cobonpue (Please people, correct me if i am wrong!):


Going back, we made a quick stop at Tree House, an Italian Restaurant in Station 3. I miss their pizza. I think they have one of the best pizzas in Bora.



We ordered Fruti De Mare: look at the generous portion of mozarella! YUM!


Going back to Casa Pilar, we heard somebody doing the "pssst" sound. It was your highness! They were seated on the open area of the resort's restaurant. We joined. Made chika with Romy and Mike until we ended up ordering lunch at around 2:00pm. Queen of Milan demands to have inihaw na pusit, inihaw na baboy at sinigang na isda. And who can deny the request of a queen? NO ONE! hahahahaha! Their friends from Italy joined - Fabrizio and Ronaldo ex-lovers turned friends.



I ordered Ripe Mango Shake. To my dismay, my ripe mango shake tasted like green mango! I find this ironic since Boracay is close to Guimaras and Guimaras is noted for their very sweet ripe mangoes. This is a downer. Blah!


After lunch, we ended up sun bathing again for another hour. hmm... and i thought i already had enough sun for the day.

At around 4pm we headed to Budget Mart at D'Mall to meet up with "fugitive cousin". "Fugitive cuz" works at a travel agency in Bora. We catched up on a few things (private) and told him that I wanted to visit M. Pat. Sad to say, M. Pat was quite busy because of the Holiday and her casitas are fully booked.

Before heading back to the resort, i stopped by a grocery store to buy the vaseline intensive care lotion of your highness and saw this famous crepe store from Japan:


How can I resist? Tell me!



We were quite tired by this time. As soon as we got to our room, we had a long warm bath and slept until 8pm. And it's call time. We can hear Mr. Driver (bodyguard/driver/PA) of Your Highness knocking at our door informing us of our assembly time and that everyone is heading to DOS MESTIZOS - A Spanish Restaurant for dinner.


We had Tapas (Callos, Chorizo, Salpicao). I only took photo of the Chorizo. The tables were quite wide. I felt like a hobbit:


And their famous Paella:


Opppss! Plus Two carafe of Sangria which i forgot to take photos. We thought it was totally pricey/exorbitant. We paid close to Php8,000.00 for nine persons. Well not us, Your Highness. But still....

After dinner we headed to Aria for coffee and dessert. I was to full to order anything not to mention the fact that I don't drink coffee. The entire gang ordered coffee of different flavors and sizes. Enjoyed the stories of New Acquaintances and ConGen. No Dull moment when ConGen is around, i swear. I can't stop laughing when he cracks a joke.

Ronaldo, ConGen, Fabrizio:


JB and Audie: Audie, na co-confuse na ang mga tao sa 'yo! hahahaha:


Aria is closing and we were suppose to transfer to Hey Jude but it was too crowded. The gang went on their separate ways. We went home and slept. Looking forward to a sunnier day 3.