Tag: Asia

ORANG UTANS @ TANJUNG PUTING, KALIMANTAN, BORNEO: Largest Population of Wild Orangutans (Day 1)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel

My first encounter with an orangutan was when we saw a “domesticated” one named Jenny in Ark of Avilon Zoo in Manila. It was nice to see her because she seems  to be playfully innocent and wants to interact with people. But after visiting the Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan Province of  Indonesia in the … Continue reading ORANG UTANS @ TANJUNG PUTING, KALIMANTAN, BORNEO: Largest Population of Wild Orangutans (Day 1)

XIMENDING Market (popularly known as the Harajuku of Taipei) :)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel

One of our favorite night markets in Taiwan is the XIMENDING Market in Taipei. Here is what you can see in Ximending Night Market: Flavors of Taiwan Series (2012): DIN TAI FUNG Experience @ Taipei 101! TAIPEI 101: On Top of the Tallest Building in Taiwan 🙂 TIAN WAI TIAN Hot Pot – The BEST Hot Pot … Continue reading XIMENDING Market (popularly known as the Harajuku of Taipei) 🙂

SHILIN MARKET Taiwan: Xiao Tze (Small Eats) Food Trip Guide! (Part 2/2)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel, Food

One of the inspirations for Mercato is the street food night market scene in Taiwan’s Shilin Market. We love the Xiao Tze (which means “small eats”) from the different food stalls in Shilin. Here are the top food picks you should try when you visit Taiwan… Read Related Post: Philippine STAR | Taiwanathon by RJ Ledesma  … Continue reading SHILIN MARKET Taiwan: Xiao Tze (Small Eats) Food Trip Guide! (Part 2/2)

SHILIN MARKET: #1 Shopping Attraction in Taiwan! (Part 1/2)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel

SHILIN MARKET is the premier night market in Taiwan for bargain goods, clothes, accessories and yummy street food. It’s our favorite night market and one of the reasons why we fell in love with Taiwan. Here’s a photo essay on what to expect in Taiwan’s #1 Shopping Attraction… Flavors of Taiwan Series (2012): DIN TAI FUNG Experience … Continue reading SHILIN MARKET: #1 Shopping Attraction in Taiwan! (Part 1/2)

CHATIME: What We Can Learn from the Market Leader in the International Bubble Tea Industry!

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel, Food

Read: Chatime Fever in Manila Did you know that CHATIME is a $20 million business with 580+ stores worldwide and is the #1 Market Leader in the International Bubble Milk Tea Industry? It is one of the Top 5 Bubble Milk Tea brands in Taiwan, #2 in the Philippines (behind Serenitea, which is the first in … Continue reading CHATIME: What We Can Learn from the Market Leader in the International Bubble Tea Industry!

The Making of Green Tea (Nantau Highlands, Taiwan)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel, Food

  We went on a learning trip organized by Chatime to the Highlands of Nantau in Taiwan to learn how to make Green Tea — from harvesting leaves from the Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) to processing it properly. It was an interesting and educational experience, and I would like to share with you the Making … Continue reading The Making of Green Tea (Nantau Highlands, Taiwan)

TIAN WAI TIAN – My BEST Hot Pot Experience

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel, Food

Exploring other foodie cultures is always a good way to educate and remove any mental barriers on what’s possible with your foodie experience. A visit to Tian Wai Tian was an eye opener for me — I never thought hot pots could be that awesome. I was surprised with the high quality and wide variety … Continue reading TIAN WAI TIAN – My BEST Hot Pot Experience

TAIPEI 101: On Top of the Tallest Building in Taiwan :)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel

Taipei 101 observatory is a touristy stop and a showcase of Taiwanese excellence. I usually don’t get enticed by the promise of a 360-degree view of the city, because the experience is a bit passive and there’s no cultural or entertainment value. But sometimes I surrender to the urge of checking out tourist places to … Continue reading TAIPEI 101: On Top of the Tallest Building in Taiwan 🙂

DIN TAI FUNG Experience @ Taipei 101!

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Travel, Food

Update 12/16/2015: DIN TAI FUNG Philippines: Chocolate Lava Xiao Long Bao & Golden Lava Salted Egg Yolk Bun! (A Review) DIN TAI FUNG is the Legendary Xiao Long Bao (steamed dumplings) restaurant in Taiwan that a lot of Pinoy foodies visiting Taiwan and Hongkong are raving about. Established in 1974, it was: named among the Top 10 … Continue reading DIN TAI FUNG Experience @ Taipei 101!

Manila Bay Cruise by Metrostar Ferry @ Mall of Asia

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Mall of Asia

I don’t want to sound like an endorser of SM but it is now part of our daily conversation with Aidan.
…I would recommend to take the sunset cruise (5.00pm) or the evening cruise (6.30pm) on Fri/Sat/Sun in time for the MOA fireworks.
… The only thing I don’t like about the tour is the foul smell of Manila Bay in certain areas we passed by.