Oh yes!! This is it! I've been waiting for this trip since my father allowed me to join our "surname"s Association in Central Luzon. Not ony that...daddyow even paid for my airfare and travelguide fees! Our trip was in Zhousan, China...most specificall in the Putuoroka Mountains. There, we as Chinese-Filipinos, was eager to see and visit the "mecca" of Buddhists, the home of Bodhisattva Guanyin, the famouse Goddess of Mercy in Buddhist religion.
The Gold Statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin
I fist encountered Guanyin or Guanyihmah in our house. My mother and father-side Lola are followers of Buddhism, thus, we had Bodhisattva Guanyin, DeeKhong & KwanKhong's altars in the house. Aside from the new year celebrations, mommyow had us pray, burn incense, paper money, and kowtow to their altars on special Chinese Dates of which I have yet to do some research. However, I knew more about Guanyihmah when my doctor-Brother introduced me to the famous children's novel, Journey to the West by Wu'Cheng'En. This was the story of SunWuKhong, the monkey who had tremendous magical powers that shook and made a rukus in both heaven and earth. This is also the inspiration of Dragonball's Gokhu character. In Journey to the West, Guanyihmah is a famous character. She was the "general" guide and protector of SanZhang the priest, WuKhong and the rest of the gang in their....uhhmm..well...journey....to....the west. The Bodhisattva helped the group so many times in the story. But the most notable one is when she tamed SunWuKhong to be of great help to SanZhang. She created a magic headband that when Wukhong wore it, it gave Sanzhang an ability to cause pain on monkey's head by just reciting a prayer or chant provided by Guanyin.
Selfie before the flight to Shanghai
Our flight was at 3:40am...when we arrived at the Clark International Airport, we were surprised by the fact that our flight was the so called "inaugural flight" of China Eastern Airlines. We were treated with free buffet styled morning merienda with different baked goodies plus a very delicious pasta treat. The event also offered a free photoBooth for our enjoyment.
The travel from air took us around three (3) to reach Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China. From there, the group ate breakfast in a noodle resto. However, as I had a very little Yuan or Renminbi, I skipped that group "event", and settled for my FudgeeBarr snacks on the ride to Zhoushan later. I am very grateful to my "auntie" ChingChing because she lent me the only Yuan pocket money that I have for the whole trip. I told her that I'll pay her when we get back in the Philippines.
For six (6) long hours, we travelled from Pudong to Zhoushan via a coach. It was a ride that accomodated us , all 22-persons. In the Philippines, we simply call this coach.....a Bus. haha! I was so into saving myself from spending, that i brougt with me snacks such as Fudgee Barr, HumpyDumpy and Nachos which saved me from starving in that 6-hour bus ride.
We had lunch in a stopover restaurant. It was not a good one since the seniors in our groups were very dissatisfied with the taste and servings of the food. But given that we were quite starving from the first roughly 2-hour ride, we ate them all down to our stomachs anyway! Another ride commenced after lunch. It took us roughly 4-hours to reach our Hotel in Zhoushan. We had a blast on the buffet dinner offered by our hotel. Filipino plus Chinese is equal to a craving for seafood dishes by which the buffet successfully won the hearts of the many! I am not into seafood on my part...i feasted instead on baked goodies, desserts and coffee!
The venue of the Spectacular Putuoroka Presentation
After dinner, we were off to a Putuoroka Presentation. I though it was just an orientation presentation of our adventure tomorrow, a tips and trick lecture on safety, rules and directives. But Lo and behold.....it was a stage show! It was an evening stage presentation that showcased creative and professional use of lights, sound, shadows and music! A very spectacular and superb highlight of our day! Did i mention that our benches was rotating? Yes it was....it is a feature of the show where the background is not just ordinary props or materials, but the actual terrain of the area is used in the entire "presentation". A very innovative and great use of talent and creativity! On the other hand, Thinking that it was just an orientation, I only wore a shirt and shorts for the event. Wow! It was striking cold but was manageable since I sweat a lot in the Philippines, thus a drop in temperature won't be much of an effect in my body. A great night experience in Zhoushan it was before we came back to the hotel and had a good night sleep.
The Garden with Pond
Lining Up for the Ferry Boat
Next day was....THE DAY! This was the day that we ought to do what we came for in Zhoushan Putuoroka Mountains. We had several interconnecting bus transport in the islands, aside from a ferry-ride from Zhoushan. We stopped over at several Buddhist Shrines althrough-out the islands. From Kowtows, burning incense to saying prayers for our loved ones, the group travelled to many different shrines. In one of the Shrines, I managed to find a Bonsai display. It was when I remembered my plan to bring my mother's image in Putuoroka, and take her to places that I'll be travelling to. My doctor-Brother started this idea, so I also followed suit. Our mama died a year ago, and it was her dream to travel in many different places. But after succumbing to Kidney disease, she wasn't able to continue her plans. Mama is very much like Guanyihma, she was always by our side, and she always make efforts to make us happy!
Mama visits Putuoroka Mountains
Buddhist Shrine happenings
In the afternoon, we also travelled to Luokashan, a kind of twin mountain of PutuoShan. Thus the name, "PutuoLuoka" or Putuoroka Mountans. Luokashan was home to secluded shrine just beside a ravine and the coastline. The shrine boasts of a viewing deck were we may see an old stone carving of Bodhisattva Guanyin. It was another set of kowtows, incense burning and prayers in a lot of shrines. But when we had to go home...a small group of ours took a different path down...all the while, thinking that we're close to the bus area. From that misadventure, our group descended and reached a lone vendor along the path. He was a good calligraphy master that was a proud fortune-teller. He sold souvenirs and trinkets, but his bestselling product is his calligraphy paintings. He tells you of our future/fortune impromptu while writing/painting calligraphy related to his visions. It was not just an awesome display of arts and magic, but very entrepreneurial even!
Jamos and Mamang pulis
Selfie by the Bay
Back in the ferry station, our group was again, sliced in two. Six of us was cut off from the a ferry boat given that the operators are careful not to overload every trip. This had our trip back to the hotel much later that expected. At the hotel, we had an "upgraded" dinner.....and given that we were in a Buddhist pilgrimage, our dinner were all veggies, no meat servings. hahahha! But again...i still had a lot of snacks, ready to satisfy my wants later in the evening.
People walking to reach Bodhisattva Monument
Day three was our last day in China. We had a "vegetarian" breakfast buffet! I was so amazed that donuts and cakes were served...haha! After breakfast, we immediately left for a last round of kowtows and prayers. We walked to the nearest shrine that we visited yesterday, and then rode the bus to a spot where a 30-minute hiking and walking brought us to the one and only gold statue or monument of Bodhisattva Guanyin in PutuoShan. There were actually two (2) routes to reach the monument. We had the backend route. haha! You may reach it via the frontend taking roadside tracks instead of the wider center track. Whichever route you go, the destination is definitely breathtaking...not just because of the breathtaking views of the trees, mountains and the golden statue....but because the hike will also take your breath away in exhaustion. When you plan to follow this adventure, don't forget to stop and drink from the water fountains provided by the park's management. it will surely help.
Golden Statue of Guanyin
Bodhisattva Guanyin Monument
Stalls along the streets
Descending from the monument, find time to eat some chinese street foods and/or buy some pasalubong or souvenirs that you may bring home. Several stores are lined-up along the streets leading you to the bus stations. I was so engrossed with selfie that day, being early down the trail from the monument. But to the dismay of my groupmates, I was the "last one" to complete the "heads" before we rode the bus and went back to the hotel for our departure. It was another 6-hour bus ride to Shanghai! We had lunch at a stopover. We were given an "allowance", 60 yuan to be exact, to go get ourselves some food for lunch. it was a "choose your own adventure" lunch for me! I got a fried egg with giniling, rice and a bowl of strange "bola-bolas". My mama cooks way better food than what I had. hiihihi! And you guessed it right, i still have some stash of snacks that i ate until we reached ShangHai. haha!
Selfie
Selfie fruit stall
When we arrived in Shanghai, we went straight to a hotel, not to check-in, but to have our buffet dinner! yehey! But before that, we strolled along the streets of Shanghai, looking for things to shop...but time flies so fast that upon arriving at the mall areas, we had to go back already! A friend stopped by to buy some fruits to take back home. While, I on ther hand, took another set of selfies for FREE!
Wagas daw po!
Last selfie
After a sumptous dinner, we took one last bus ride to Pudong International Airport. It was 11pm in the evening. On flight, i had a nice conversation with a friend. He is young enough to have so many dreams. I do hope he finds and chooses the right path for his future. But like many plans, it is not final. External forces and internal decisions gives us so many options in life. Sometimes, it is true that we should not act like mountains standing firm, staying in a position that is risk-free. Instead, we should act like rivers. Rivers that flow, and is not fixed. This way, we learn new things, we adapt new things, we appreciate new things and we become "new" everytime we acquire new knowledge and understanding. In Life, change is inevitable. We must carry on. This Adventure did not only have me enjoying nature, chinese arts and culture, but this Zhoushan experience gave me time to reflect on life, appreciate my blessings and understand people and their beliefs. If you had the chance to visit Putuoroka like i did...what was the best thing about your trip?
Here's a video presentation of my exploration, my adventure in Zhoushan China.
Maraming Salamat! Enjoy!
"It's Fortune, or nothing at all!"...this was what our mother used to tell us when she was still alive. And by Fortune, she means Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant. According to the best cook in my life, this resto serves the best Chinese cuisine in Pampanga, and maybe even better than those found in NCR or Metro Manila. As I've mentioned, my Mother does the cooking in the house. And her expertise? You've guessed it right...Chinese Food. Therefore, according to her, no one beats her cooking except...(drumroll)...the Fortune Restaurant.
The Best Sweet & Sour Pork
Fortune Restaurant is located in downtown Balibago area in Angeles City. Balibago is considered as the nightlife center of our city. The famous strip of resto, bars and cafes along McArthur Hi-way is at the heart of Balibago. And also, the world famous Fields Ave. of Angeles city is also found in the area. In October, in lieu of the city's Fiesta celebration, the dance party "Tigtigan, Terakan queng Dalan" is also held at the same area. During this party, for a minimal entrance fee, people get to drink beers Unli-style! Lots of stalls in the event sell food or pulutan that you can pair up with your beer. If you're a beer addict, then you have to visit our city every October. Haha!
Shrimp with Broccoli
Kris & Bam wannabees.
Going from Angeles city's Poblacion or city proper, you will find Fortune along the left side of the McArthur Hi-way road going to Mabalacat. It is a couple of blocks away before Fields Ave. and the road leading to Clark Freeport Zone. Before mama passed away, we had to eat in this restaurant for at least once a month...it is because according to her, it is not just the best Chinese resto, but it also is the only resto that satisfies her "taste impairment", being a senior citizen that has stepped-in on the old aged segment of our society. When we visit Fortune with her, we must and always have to order the Steamed Eel specialty.
We ate at Fortune last Saturday. Together with the kinakapatids, my father and a cousin. We had the opportunity to eat with the kinakapatid who came from Austria to visit our father. Just like traditional Chinese restaurants, our table is round with a lazy Susan glasstop that rotates for our convenience. We ordered Shrimp with Broccoli, the bestselling Sweet & Sour Pork, Eight Treasures Soup, YangChow Fried Rice and our Father's favorite.....the Patatim or Chinese Pork Leg Stew.
Yang Chow Fried Rice
The best thing about YangChow Fried rice, is that you can eat it as it is even without toppings. But since we are in the Philippines, we can't eat with rice alone...we need to have other ulam. Eight Treasures Soup features 8 very special ingredients cooked in a broth based soup. Father's favorite, Patatim, on the other hand, is a slow cooked Pork Leg with assorted authentic ingredients such as White Fungus, Mushrooms and sliced Bamboo shoots. But if it's your first time to try Fortune, never fail to pick their Sweet & Sour Pork......it is the best in all of Pampanga and Metro Manila imho. Yes, the best!
Quan Kong Chinese Business deity
Live Lobsters
Live Lapu-Lapu or Grouper fish
After the sumptuous meal, I chanced upon the resto's "aquariums" featuring the highly honored or priced Lobster and Lapu-lapu(grouper). Sometimes, you also get to see their live Horseshoe Crab, unfortunately that day, they were sold out! I also took a shot with the resident deity in almost all Chinese businesses...Quan Gong or Kwan Kong. A famous Chinese general who was so popular that he leveled-up and became a mini-god or deity that governs businesses or more specifically, strategic competition or in line with the applied Sun Tzu's concept of business wars. Given the opportunity, I also was able to take a selfie with the Resto's celebrity icon/Manager/endorser/mascot, Ms. Janette.
Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant is the best place to eat when your craving for an authentic Chinese cuisine taste! They offer a lot of choices in their menu that is more affordable for family get-togethers and group party celebrations. For birthday celebrations, you may also request their waiters/attendants to perform a very special Happy Birthday song for the celebrant! Don't forget to visit this resto if you're here in the city of angels like me. You'll surely come back for the best of the best in Chinese Food.
Fortune Restaurant Frontage
I craved for a Bibimbap meal this morning. Since my dad won't be having his dinner with us, I decided to go and eat(again) at my favorite Korean buffet restaurant in Angeles city pampanga. The place is called Korean Restaurant Manchoo or we fondly call Manchoo Buffet Restaurant. It is located at the 2nd floor of the newly built Central Mall along the corner of Angeles-porac road and Friendship Hi-way. The said mall is still under construction as of today, the 25th of July year 2017. Looking from the road, you will find the place to be complete and "visitable". However, inside, it has yet to fill up a lot of stalls and biz slots. Thru the stairs leading to the 2nd Floor, you will find Manchoo to the left.
Manchoo offers the standard Unlimited Korean Samgyupsal menu, complete with fresh lettuce leaves, pork and beef meat slices both cooked and uncooked servings. If you intend to personally grill you Samgyupsal, you will be offered to sit on the tables outside. This makes sure that smoke from grilling will not stay within the air-conditioned areas which may cause suffocation, given that Manchoo doesn't have the ergonomic suction/exhaust pipes that other grill themed Korean restaurants in town. Aside from the unli Samgyupsal, there are buffet selections that you may also try. These offers may vary weekly, but you will surely encounter the all-time favorite fish fillet, Korean bulgogi, Spicy Tofu, Kakeakedon and Chicken cordon Bleu.
On the other side of the buffet table, you will find a set of Maki and Kimbob servings and a self-service Bibimbap menu, complete with sliced carrots, cucumbers, beans sprouts, pork ginilings and dried seaweed strips. I particularly loved the concept of their Bibimbap menu since I like beansprouts, carrots and dried seaweed. And when you combine these with rice and a special sesame oil based seasoning, a flavorful taste explodes in your mouth as you eat your first spoonful of bibimbap concoction. Drinks are also offered Unli-style. You may choose from four(4) cold drinks namely, Pineapple juice, Orange juice, Home blend Iced tea & Iced coffee. Iced coffee is my preferred drink in Manchoo. The desserts menu offers Fruit salad, Minatamis na Saba or Sweetened banana(saba variety), Marshmallows and biscuits with Hershey's chocolate syrup for an amazing dip.
As I've mentioned before, my hipag taught me on not starting a meal with cold drinks as it makes our tummy feel full and/or discourages our appetite. Thus, it is better to start with a hot soup to spark up our appetite before the long fight of eating unli-style. In my experience, I avoid eating a lot of sushi, maki, Kimbap since it is rather heavy for the tummy, or it is what Filipinos call "Mabigat sa Tiyan" (Heavy for the stomach. I go for the basic buffet sets first, then I follow it up with Makis and Kimbap. Then, from there I stop and go for bibimbaps, Samgyupsal and the basic buffet. I then finish my "Unli meal" with their salad and sweets. While doing the eating, I make sure that I am reading something be it a magazine or a book. From this, I don't just fill up my tummy with food, I also am able to gain additional knowledge for my brain while enjoying the food in restaurants.
Next time you visit our Bayan, Angeles City of Pampanga Philippines.....try Manchoo for a change...its a the right size buffet for a big-sized Macho me.
Halina't
Mabuhay!
Anyeong Hasseyo! Kickstart, first post ko ngayon ay tungkol sa Dinner Adventure Adventure ko sa Kim's Grill along Friendship Hi-way sa Angeles City Pampanga. Nalaman ko ang tungkol sa resto na ito mula sa Facebook sponsored feeds. Mygadz...sangkatutak na ang mga nagBuBuffet na resto dito sa Angeles ngayon! Kulang na lang eh malalaos na ang mga Fastfood establishments, magiging BuffetFood establishments na...hehehehe! May iilan-ilan na rin akong nasubukan na mga restong Buffet pero ngayon ko lang naisipang gawan ng blog ang mga Gastroventure experiences ko.
Dumating ako sa Kim's mga 8:30pm...nabasa ko na hanggang 10:30pm silang open sa gabi... Pagdating ko sa entrance, binuksan ng isang mamang binata yung two-door na pintuan nila. Tinanong ko sa bago ako pumasok..."Kuya, magkano yung buffet nyo?"...aba ang sagot, "Pasok po kayo, sa loob nyo na lang po itanong..."....hahahaha! sa loob-loob ko naisip kong gusto siguro nya itanong ko sa loob para mahiya na akong lumabas ng resto nila kung mahal. Bwahahahaha! Hindi lang nya alam, eh may pagka-walang-hiya itong si Jamos the Explorer or JamoX na lang for short. :D
Pagpasok ko, 350.00 pesoses daw pala ang buffet nila....kasama ang UNLi SamgyupsaL na uso sa mga Korean Buffet restos tulad ng Kim's. Bali may UNLi SamGyupSaL, UnLi Buffet Dishes at Drinks. Sabi ni Kuya Waiter, 'di lang daw yun....may FREE one piece Korean Ice Cream!!! Yehey!!! Sa iba kasing mga nakainan ko eh may bayad yung Ice Cream. Haha! Nang maupo na ko sa table, may Grilling station....kumbaga, sabi nga ni Ate waitress, Self-Service lahat pati ang pagluluto ng SamgyupsaL, ikaw lang ang gagawa at wala nang iba. :D Syempre nung ready na ko kumain, naisip ko yung natutunan ko sa hipag kong KusinaQueen din ang peg, na dapat unahin ang mainit na sabaw para hindi mabigla ang tiyan at lumakas ang pagkain...pero sa kasamaang palad, sabi ni Ate, "Sorry po, wala pong soup sa buffet...kung gusto nyo po may bayad..." sabay pakita nya ang Flip-card sa may table na nakasaad ang flavor and price ng mga soup nila. Hindi ko naalala ang price kasi nung makita ko kinilabutan ako...parang half ng 350.00 entrance ang isang order ng Sabaw nila!!! EdiWoW! Pasimple na lang ako at sinabing "ah sige, huwag na lng po."
Kung medyo naBadTrip ako sa payable Soup nila...natuwa naman ako nang makita ko ang mga available drinks na BottomLess!!! Dahil Bottomless ang paborito kong ICED COFFEE! Meron ding Iced Tea at Lemonade sa drinks nila. Sinimulan ko na din ang pakuha sa main buffet dishes nila, sabi ko ihuhuli ko na lang yung Samgyupsal kasi hindi ko talaga alam ang tamang pagkain ng samG korean style. haha! Sa naalala ko, ang mga paborito kong dishes nila ay yung spicy Korean Chicken, yung JapChae o Korean noodles at yung Spicy Chicken Stew. Meron din silang Salad Station, kaso rin ako mahilig sa gulayan...meats talaga hilig ko kaya konti na lang mababara na siguro ang mga ugat ko. hehehhe! Kaya ganun na lang ang dalas kong kumain sa mga resto ngayon eh dahil sa habang bata pa, susubukan ko nang kumain ng masasarap na putahe at magEnjoy na rin nang kaunti kaysa yung ipon nang ipon tapos pagtanda hindi na rin maE-Enjoy yung buhay.
Ang isang strategy na ginawa ko sa Kim's ay yung kumuha na rin ako ng mga iihawin kong mga karne na pangSamGyupsaL. Tapos habang slow cooking/ihaw sila sa grill-pod ng table.....Lamon naman ako nang lamon sa mga buffet dishes na kinuha ko. Kaya nung maubos ko na yung dalawang plato ng assorted items....haha...Ready to eat na ako ng SamG!!! Kung meron mang kakaiba sa SamG ng Kim's, ay malalaki yung hiwa nila sa karne, kumbaga hindi nagmumukhang tinitipid yung customers. Hindi rin naman dapat mabahala kasi may binibigay namang gunting na pwedeng gamitin para putul-putulin yung mga karne. Kaya ako, ginawa kong bite-sizes yung mga karne sabay balot ko sa pirasong gulay o Lettuce at NomNomNomNomNomNomNom!
Umabot ako hanggang 9:45pm sa Kim's....pero kasabay kasi ng lahat ng pagLamon na ginawa ko......nagbabasa din ako ng isang national geographic na magazine...kaya napatagal ang stay ko sa resto. Yan din siguro ang dahilan kung bakit madami-dami akong nakain sa Kim's Grill...goodbye diet na talaga. hehe. Kung ipapa-Rate nyo sa akin ang Kim's Grill from 1-10, 10 being the highest.......nasa 7.0 ang Grade nya kay JamoX. Don't Like is the "limited" buffet dishes, puro pika-pika tulad ng egg roll, baked Kamote, Fried Talong at Kimbab. Plus or Likes are the ICED COFFEE and Big sized SamGyupSal meats...dito ko lang naEnjoy ang SamGyupSaL.
Pagkatapos kong magpaBill-out...syempre hindi ako nahiyang hingin ang aking.........FREE KOREAN ICE CREAM!!! Mango Flavored MeLoNa ang pinili ko. Wow.....Saaaaraaaap!!!
P. S. Pagkatapos magpakabusogsa Kim's.....dumiretso muna sa Woori Korean Mart para bumili ng favorite Korean Ice Cream namin ni papa daddyow! 🤗
Kayo anu ang experience nyo sa Kim's o kaya sa mga UnLi Samgyupsal resto na nakainan nyo na?
Posts
