A fourth generation baker, French pastry chef, Gontran Cherrier, behind Tiong Bahru Bakery, wanted to “create a real, authentic experience” with his baked goods and desserts using “traditional French techniques infused with international flavours.” His first bakery was in Montmarte, Paris established in 2010. After two years, he set up his first bakery abroad in…
Category: Seeing God’s Hand in Daily Adventures or Misadventures
Singapore Botanic Gardens for Php50.57
159 years and they haven’t turned this open space into a mall! Don’t you just love that? Established in 1822 by the naturalist founder of modern Singapore— Sir Stamford Raffles— the Singapore Botanic Gardens strengthened the country’s agricultural growth as it was the center where useful plants were collected, grown, experimented on, and distributed. Para…
Aki Con Achis Aquí
Aki has been aquí (here) in Manila for a year and eight months. Sometime last year, she happened to read in the Shinbun (Japanese newspaper) the story of my shop which my designer, Joi Cutter arranged after her husband (John) met Japanese journalist, Kantaro Suzuki, at the Death March celebration in Bataan. When Aki and…
La Vie En Rose
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be told every day words of love that make you know for sure that with the one to whom you belong, it’s you for him and him for you throughout life? And when he takes you in his arms and enters your heart, his presence banishes your pains and burdens such…
Billiken in Shinsekai, Osaka
One of the interesting discoveries here at the old Osaka neighborhood of Shinsekai is Billiken which could be found in many restaurant facades: Caption under above sign: “Billiken is a “god of happiness” that was created in the US in 1908. In 1909, it came to Japan where its unique appearance with a pointed head…
12 Hours in Kobe
On a roll of appreciating nature in the Autumn season, the day’s blessing was the beloved’s surprise of an impromptu day trip to Kobe with a new stop. Nunobiki Herb Garden From Osaka, the Shinkansen Train to Kobe takes only 13 minutes plus a good walk to the entrance of the Herb Gardens on Mount…
Autumn in Arashiyama, Kyoto
Peeking through the doorway of Autumn season, the glorious backdrop of cerulean sky flecked with fluffy patches of clouds made for glorious walk-thru outdoor paintings. ARASHIMAYA Getting off the Hankyū Arashiyama Line from Katsura at Arashiyama Station, we just followed the crowd and within a few hundred feet was the Ōi River straight ahead. The Togetsukyō Bridge is…
Trump and Neverland: Two Tea-for-Two’s, Vancouver
The imposing facade spells modern luxury. Situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s Golden Mile, the recently (2017) opened Trump Hotel offers a snazzy Afternoon Tea at the lobby just next to Mott 32. Lisa and I arrived at 4:11pm. “Our Afternoon Tea just ended at 4 o’clock. Can you come tomorrow?” the host courteously…
The Empress Afternoon Tea, Victoria, British Columbia
If you come to Victoria, you must try the world-renowned Tea at The Fairmont Empress (fondly called “The Empress”), one of Victoria’s oldest hotels. Because of her national signficance, The Empress has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. When she became weary around 1965, there arose a debate to either tear down…
The Best Things In Life Are Free
Victoria and Vancouver are such beautiful cities. A mere stroll across four days within a very small radius provides a feast for the eyes and senses. This is a sampling of the landscape, architecture, sights, and vibe. Apart from God’s beautiful creation, it cost someone to pay for the buildings, plants, labor. But it’s free…
BUTTERFLY IN THE SPRING 