Seafood Feast at the Grand Cinnamon, Colombo

September 18, 2009, Friday. On Erik's last night in Colombo, we decided to enjoy a seafood dinner at the Grand Cinnamon's, Lagoon restaurant.

Imagine a Manila-dampa style in a hotel. You select the seafood that you want and let them know how you want it prepared. They have a list of suggestions on the wall to help you out. We had the yummy shrimp rolls for starters and a glass of white wine while waiting for the rest of our food to arrive. I decided to have the white curry crab while Erik ordered the black-pepper crab. He wanted more shrimps so we asked them to cook it sweet and sour style. To complete our seafood meal, were the fried rice and stir-fried kangkong.

Service is a lot better than the Taprobane, also at the Grand Cinnamon hotel. The waiters at the Lagoon are attentive and put food on your plate. However, they forgot to serve my white curry crab which we eventually asked them to cancel because when we saw the food, there was no way we'd be able to finish everything.

Erik mentioned that one of the best crabs he's tried were those served to him in Zamboanga. This guy has been to places in the Philippines that I've never been too. Talk about the island off Zamboanga which has pink sand. He's been there. The Philippines, according to him, is one of the three countries in the world that has beaches with pink sand. Amazing, and who else knows that? Not a lot of people know how beautiful the Philippines is.

Back to the food. The black pepper crab had more sauce than I was expecting. I was hoping that it would be less saucy ala Singapore style like the one I tried at Newton's Bay. (The best black pepper crab I had was the one from Balikpapan, Indonesia. So good I tell you. The Jakarta staff and I had that as an afternoon snack. Have yet to try one that beats that.)

The sweet and sour shrimp was good. It wasn't overcooked and the combination of the sweet and sour flavors were perfect for me.

Our dinner didn't come cheap. We had to pay 5,000 rupees each. (A rupee is approximately 140 per US $ at this time of writing.) Never mind the price of the meal, dinner was so much fun.

Shrimp rolls

Black Pepper Crab


Sweet and Sour Shrimp

Muji to Go- A Traveler's Haven

September 16, 2009. HongKong. I had six hours to kill before boarding CX 711 en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Was deciding whether to sit around in one of the airport lounges in Hongkong and read. I figured that walking around for six hours would be too taxing on my feet. But well, since I don’t frequently pass through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on business trips, might as well check out the airport, right?

On level 6 of HKIA terminal 1, I chanced upon Muji To Go. I remember visiting Muji for the first time while in Singapore, thanks to Mitchie who took me around. Didn’t pay much attention though because I was more focused on shopping at IKEA. This time around though, I spent some time checking what Muji To Go had to offer.

Muji's travel-concept store at the HKIA had products ranging from travel friendly-clothes (aka wrinkle-free), supplies, food, and travel products to name a few. Anything and everything that's related to your travel needs.

I went crazy with their small plastic containers, a definite must-have for frequent travelers. A good portion of my suitcase is allocated to toiletries alone. I can’t seem to find smaller travel-friendly versions of the brands I use. Plus, the smaller sized versions are more expensive if you compute the price-volume ratio. Anyway, I couldn’t leave without buying some of those. The mini-containers cost me P2500.

I can’t wait to use them on my next trip.

Muji To GoTerminal 1,
Norwest Concourse,
Level 6,
HongKong International Airport

At the Cinnamon Grand Hotel

Sept. 16, 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka. I arrived around 1:00 a.m. in Colombo. That's about 3:30 a.m. Manila time. Boy, was I tired. Didn't realize that the trip would take that long. I was at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6 in the morning to catch the 9 a.m. flight. (You've got to be at the NAIA three hours before an international flight.) Plus there was 6-hour wait at the HKIA.

About an hour away from the airport, the Cinnamon Grand Hotel is like a breath of fresh air amidst a number of checkpoints surrounding the area. There is a welcome drink and a wet towel, upon checking-in. The lobby is spacious and inviting which definitely is a plus since there are so many people who stay here. Sometimes the lobby is peaceful and quite but a times there can be a deluge of travelers hanging out the lobby snacking on desserts and drinking coffee. By the way the desserts at the lobby cafe are good.


Towards the back of the lobby is an atrium sort of hall where parties and events are held. Gently lighted by huge ceiling lamps and floor lamps, the space is easy on the eyes. I do think though that it's kinda misplaced. But that's just me.

Below are a few pictures of the room, in case someone else is planning to stay at the Cinnamon Grand. My first room was on the third floor near the elevators. When I came back from Batticaloa, they gave me a better room at the 7th floor, not that the 3rd floor room wasn't nice. It was comfortable but I think the carpets need a bit more cleaning.



This is the view from my room's (the first one) glass window.

At the end of a long day, you'll get an orchid and chocolates that will make you smile.

Cinnamon Grand Hotel
77 Galle Road
Colombo 3
+94(11)2437437

Flowers at the Sofitel Metropole

Pretty flowers make my day. Somehow they make me smile. More than receiving a bouquet of flowers, I would much rather plant them. Too bad there's not much space at home. Oh well. I get to do that when I'm at my lola's house in Baguio. So as a compromise I love looking at floral arrangements.

Here are a few from the Metropole. Simple yet so pretty.

At the hotel entrance

At one of the cozy nooks

To cheer you up while eating

Or when you're having a nightcap

Maybe I can try to do this at home sometime...Kailan kaya?

Proposed Hanoi Itinerary

My former boss Men and his wife are going to Hanoi next week. They asked me if I could provide them with an itinerary. Been to Hanoi twice but I never really jotted down the places I visited and the restaurants I tried. So with the help of my friends in Hanoi, here is a list of places that I suggest you try.

Dear Men,

Check these places out: (The first 5 items' text are taken from Lonely Planet)
(Pictures are mine)

• 
  

  1 Old Quarter

  Discover the Asia you dreamed about in the bustling back streets of the Old Quarter
  
• 
  

  2 Temple of Literature

  Step into history, and a spiritual retreat from the busy streets beyond, at the Temple of Literature
  

• 
  

  3 Water puppets

  Enjoy a giggle at Punch and Judy in a pool, watching the city’s famed water puppets
  

• 
  

  4 Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

  See ‘Uncle Ho’ in the flesh at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
  
• 
  

  5 Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

  Piece together the country’s ethnic mosaic at the wonderful Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
  

Food and Restaurants:

When you're at the Old Quarter, try "Bun Cha Hang Manh" Restaurant in No.1 Hang Manh Street - for pork skewers and spring rolls with salad. No ambiance at all (as in 0 for ambiance) but food is good. You sit on small plastic stools. Bring your own chopsticks lest you use the one that have been used and just washed.

For Vietnamese food from different regions go to Quan An Ngon at 18 Phan Boi Chau [Between Ly Thuong Kiet and Hai Ba Trung, one block East of Le Duan.] Think of fastfood dining al fresco style. The place gets full so it's good to be there slightly before lunch or dinner so you can get a place. I kept going back here because there were so many choices all in one place.

La Place at 4 Ấu Triệu street. Didn't try this but this is my friend's fav restaurant. They also serve the grilled pork on skewers and noodles but place is cozy and nice according to her. Around that area (St. Joseph Church at the cross between Nha Tho str and Ly Quoc Su streets) are interesting shops too.

"Chim Sao" at 65 Ngõ Huế street. I didn't try this too but she recommends it.

Hanoi Garden at 36 Hàng Mành according to her also serves good vietnamese food.


When you're around the lake, try the cafe's there so you can rest a bit after much walking. Around that area is Fanny's Ice Cream which is a must too. Think of it as a reward for all the walking you've done.


Their well-known fastfood is Pho 24 for a bowl of steaming noodle soup and bread. I tried the one around the lake. Just google address.


Afternoon Tea and Chocolate Buffet & Sunday Buffet at Sofitel Metropole. If you are there on a Sunday, you shouldn't miss the Sunday buffet ($50/pax). The spread is not that many like the Sofitel here but the quality of food is superb. Most of it is from France and the presentation is more than stunning.

Assorted cheese and bread

If you can't make it to the Sunday buffet, go for the Afternoon tea and chocolate buffet which they have everyday. There are 2 Sofitels at Hanoi so you have to mention Metropole or else they will take you to the other one far from the lake.

Music and Entertainment:

Go to Metropole in the evening for some jazz music and have a scoop of strawberry sorbet and get some drinks.


Hanoi Opera House. Try to catch a show or a ballet performance. Then you can have coffee after or before the show at the coffee house in the grounds of the opera house. You won't miss it.


Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel. Right beside the Hanoi Opera House. If you want to listen to a string quartet for free, hang out in the lobby at 5 or 6 pm and enjoy the music.

SHOPPING:

I suggest you check out the Dong Xuan Market (North of the Old Quarter- google the address) first before buying in the small shops at the Old Quarter. I found it to be cheaper here. This is a 3-storey market full of items. Near there is the Paper Shop where I took the nice colorful picture.

Paper Galore!

Snackin' Silly on S&R's Snackees

The last three brownies left

Oh my, last week was quite busy. All the busyness and stress translated to frequent munching on sweet desserts, specifically my chocolate "snackees". It gave me the needed energy boost and made me a bit happier :-)

Bought a small pack of "snackees" from S&R. Approximately P250 per pack, it reminded me of the two-bite brownies which I used to buy with Amy at Wholefoods, NYC. The one at Wholefoods tasted much better- more moist and chocolatey. But well, the snackees are good enough to perk you up especially on a busy work day. Sometimes you don't have time for a real lunch so these do come in handy. And for the cost, it's definitely worth it.

Happy to discover these. I will surely go back to S&R to buy some more.

Loving My Gold-Studded Sandals

Saturday, July 25, 2009. Met up with the Divas (Sittie, Joy, Bel and Ann*) for lunch at Chili's Greenbelt 5. Couldn't wait to wear my latest purchase-gold-studded black sandals from People are People.
"Those are a fierce pair," said Ann as she accidentally peered under the table during lunch. I guess my footwear was hard not to notice.
"Oh, yeah. Not into the girlie-girl look. I want something that's a bit edgy," I replied.

Wore those sandals with a printed black dress from Topshop accented with white lace on top and frilly at the bottom. Now you know why I didn't put on my usual ballet flats. That would just be too plain and boring.

*The two other divas are based abroad. Cheryl resides in Texas while Elena works in Abu Dhabi.