Grill Seoul Korean BBQ in Clarkfield, Pampanga

Sometime ago this month, I was in Clarkfield, Pampanga for an invitation by the Clark Development Corporation. My trips to this former American airbase always bring back nostalgia. When I was still an assistant director and during my early years as a fashion director, I did shows in Mimosa courtesy of Mondragon and Holiday Inn Clark. The Clark then is a far-cry to what Clark is now. On the downside, the duty free shops have closed down. Only a few are left for business. On the upside, many other establishments have opened. Call centers, hotels, resorts, restaurants and other businesses have made Clark their business enclave. Thanks to the effective management of the people in Clark Development Corporation (CDC). One of the restaurants which is worthy of dining in is Grill Seoul Korean BBQ.

It is located at the back of Clark Museum. It is near the parade grounds of CDC. One cannot miss it especially in the evening because of its glaring lights both outside and inside. During the day, it can easily be seen because of the big letters of KOREAN BBQ on the facade. It's building is modern and one cannot even tell that it's a Korean restaurant save for the signage outside.

Even the interior of the restaurant is very modern. If not for the hanging pipes, one would not think that he is inside a Korean BBQ restaurant. I thought I was in a coffee shop. Lighting is as clean as the inside of the restaurant. I commend the staff for making sure that the place is as clean as can be. The feel is casual yet classy.

Food is definitely Korean but I think the restaurant gave it a modern twist. I am not an expert in Korean cuisine but by the looks of the food that we ordered, they are not the traditional Korean stuff but I should say that they still taste good. Price-wise, it is affordable considering the big servings. We were not able to order much that evening because we were already tired from judging Mr. and Ms. Clark 2015.

Grill Seoul Korean BBQ is one pitstop to go to when you are in Clark. The staff are friendly, price is reasonable, nice interiors, good Korean food with a twist and a sight to behold amidst the other establishments around.

Missing Manado (Indonesia)

A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Manado in the Province of Sulawesi Utara or North Sulawesi, Indonesia.  It is a fast-rising city that side of the Indonesian archipelago which is just a few miles south of Davao City.  The Manado trip was my first outside the Philippines (you can just imagine how many years ago that was).

Honestly, I was surprised to see that Manado is fast-becoming a bustling city in Indonesia.  Despite the forthcoming modernity, it has maintained its charm and allure.  Buildings are beginning to mushroom and businesses have sprung up.  Its population is also increasing through the years.

One thing that I have observed is the cleanliness of the city.  I thought that it being too far from the capital city of Jakarta, Manado would look like an area which is far from development.  But I was wrong.  It is because of the effective governance of its local government that it has breezed through with ease.  It is a city which can be called major in a few years.  It is one dive site where one can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best.

Hotels and resorts have been built to accommodate the influx of tourists.  Novotel Manado, where I stayed, is one hotel which gives five star service to its clients.  It has an infinity pool that has a good view of Manado Bay.  Other hotels are also available for the comfort of visitors.

Regular flights to this Indonesia city from Davao City have ceased a few years back but sometimes, there are chartered flights that ply the route.  Safely, one can fly to Jakarta first then take a domestic flight to Manado.

Should you decide to travel to Indonesia in a place less visited, Manado is a must-try.  Its peace and order is one of the best in the archipelago.  For whatever it may offer, it's for you to find out.  And, yes, I miss Manado.

Batam: A Fast-Rising Tourist Haven in Indonesia

Batam is a city in Indonesia which is only 45 minutes ferry ride from Singapore. It is a fast-rising haven for technology-savvy tourists.

Despite being least known among Indonesian cities, Batam shows a lot of promise as a side-trip destination if one wants to see another Asean city aside from Singapore. It has a community ready to take on tourists who would like to experience another kind of culture.

The city has shopping malls built to take on local and foreign tourists. Indonesian as well as brands from overseas are sold for the buying public. Restaurants catering to different tastes are all over. Crafts made by the locals are easily accessible in shopping areas.

Development is inevitable as evidenced by infrastructure built for the populace as well as for visitors. But Batam has maintained a certain Indonesian mystique that tourists look for.

The city is ready to take in more tourists as resorts, hotels, restaurants and other tourist places as sprung up especially in recent years.

Although Batam is an Indonesian city, it is easier to go there via Singapore. Jakarta is miles away from the city. I was surprised that the exchange rate in the ferry terminal is better than the money changer stalls in the malls. It is suggested that tourists change their money from reliable exchange counters in the ferry terminal.

Given more years, Batam is definitely a tourist haven waiting to be explored.

Two Nights in Bangkok

So far, this is my shortest trip to Bangkok. Previously, the shortest stay I had in the City of Smiles was 3 nights and 4 days. But, just the same, there is still that certain eagerness to visit Bangkok. Each time I visit the city, there is always something new that it offers. It seems that development is synonymous to Bangkok. That is the reason why it never ceases to amaze me. Bangkok is one city that I will never get tired of visiting.

But how can one squeeze in all activities in just 2 nights and 3 days? Well, a lot! There are many things to do in Bangkok. It is one shopping haven in the Asean region. You can buy anything there is to shop. I call the city a one big flea market especially during night time. Wherever you go, there are stalls that sell almost everything under the sun...or moon, whichever time you want to shop. Of course, there are still the usual Pratunam Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Siam Square and other shopping havens aside from the huge malls that abound.

There is no stopping building infrastructure in the city. Modernity is evident in the midst of Thailand's rich past. Just like what the cliche says, since there is not enough space anymore in Bangkok, there is no other way but to go up. Tall buildings are staple sights in the city.

Food is one indulgence that cannot pass. Thai cuisine is one of the best and healthiest in the world. Everywhere you go, you see restaurants and food stalls. One fancy concept is the one at Central World. There are more than 150 restaurants serving different cuisines from all over the world...a wide array of dining places to choose from.

Then, there is the floating market to visit. Though some of the goods that you will see there can be bought in other shopping places in Bangkok at lower prices, traversing the waters of the floating market is one way of understanding the culture of Thai people. The elephant and crocodile farms are also worth going to.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is relatively new as it was only opened a few years ago but it seems that its capacity is not enough for the many tourists that arrive in Bangkok.

Bangkok may change from time to time but it has remained amazingly mysterious in its own ways. It's an oriental city that seems not to sleep. It is a city that will enchant you. Two nights in Bangkok is definitely short but a return visit is a must.

The Awakening of Phnom Penh

 

Phnom Penh is the capital city of the Kingdom of Cambodia. For me, it has been a mystery and I have longed to visit the city during my lifetime. Cambodia, having been at war until the early 1980s, has been reclusive maybe due to its socialist government. More than this reason, it was not part of anybody's travel itinerary due to its tumultuous past. Besides, the country is known for the ancient structures in Seam Reap rather than what Phnom Penh can offer.

Excitement was felt since it is my first time in a country that was literally near yet far. I was also excited as to what I will see in Phnom Penh. Honestly, I was surprised as to what I saw in the city. It is bustling and has a big potential in becoming a great city in Southeast Asia. It is comparably big as Ho Chi Minh City with more space for development. Given a few more years, Phnom Penh will be a force to reckon with this side of the world.

One sad note is that the people mostly do not want to use their own money - the Riel. The use of the U.S. dollar is widely accepted in the whole of Phnom Penh. I just hope that the government would do something to instill in the minds and hearts of the Khmer people the love and trust for their own money.

The king is still the head of state. His palace is one tourist attraction in the city. Many architectural structures still abound in the city although some are already giving way to development.

There are only two malls that I noticed. Aeon Mall is considered as the higher end of the two. There, you can find stores that are staples in malls in other Southeast Asia countries. For bargain-hunters, the Central Market and Russian Market are places to go to. Haggling in these two markets is usual as in other flea markets around the world.

The Mekong River is part of lives of the people of Phnom Penh. Some of the population derive their income from whatever they can get from and do in the river. It is a symbol of Khmer life not only in the metropolis but in the whole Cambodia as well.

I was especially surprised with the Phnom Penh International Airport. Being in a supposed laidback country, I thought ours was better than theirs. To my surprise, they, I think, had better airport facilities and machines. Compared to the Vietnamese immigration mechanism in the Vietnam-Cambodia border, Cambodia has a better and less tedious system. Everything is computerized, had better machines at the forefront and effective procedures at its international gateways.

Given another chance, I will go back to Phnom Penh and see what happens next to this city full of potentials. I will not wonder anymore if it also exceeds my expectations the next time around. The awakening of Phnom Penh has already begun.