The Newly-Opened City Centre

WANDA PLAZA, QUANZHOU CITY. The mall opened practically one week before we arrived. But though it's new it obviously had attracted mall goers already. The mall, almost like that of the Philippine's Glorietta and Eastwood Mall offers 6-level of shopping, dining and entertainment area. It actually boasts the first Imax theater (or if not, the first cinema) in the city. It also has a 2-level basement parking, alresco dining area, dancing fountain and a strip of shops outside.

 

The mall houses international and local brands - Uniqlo, H&M, Esprit, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and perhaps, the biggest Zara I have seen. It also has about 30 restaurants located at the 3rd floor. I was lucky to have tried dining in two of the restaurants - Masters and Sichuan Grilled Fish. The former, was for a complimentary lunch and the later, for our send-off dinner. I must say, that both offered great seafood flavors which didn't fail our taste buds. 

I was used of Quanzhou's department stores being called a mall already. So the stroll at Wanda was a completely different mall experience for me much so to its locals.

Mall opens everyday from 10:00AM to 10:00PM and is a owned and operated by China's Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties, Ltd.

West Lake's Charm

WEST LAKE PARK, QUANZHOU CITY. The park which is located north of the city is one of its attractions. I went there during the night, so the chance of  seeing the beauty of its landscape have been missed. I was lucky though that the dancing lights, cool breeze and quiet waters replaced it. And although most of the greens where replaced by blacks, it is still an attraction in its own; besides, the surroundings have more colors during the night than it may have in the day.


Locals of Quanzhou apparently loves parks. In my last visit, I've seen a few with a gathering of people either dancing or simply sitting for a talk. This is maybe, the largest park in the city, I heard. And it obviously showed its expanse. We strolled by the park for a little less than an hour, but I guess there are still parts I haven't explored. Since we were also limited by time, we just took a few snapshots of some worth-capturing areas I would suggest for anyone to come visit too:


1. Lake. It was calm during the night. Quite different perhaps in the morning where many would go for a boat ride. During our visit, the boats were all stationed in stillness at the banks.

2. Landscape. Towering trees dominantly stands at most areas of the park. It stands apart the shrubs arranged in a simple landscape.

3.Pagodas. It comes in different sizes, stands in different location. All of which boasts the distinct Chinese features so authentic I could not deny I'm in the mainland.

4. Bridges. It transported us to the other attractions of the park. There are actually two bridges in the park - the long one and the steep one. I crossed both and each has brought me a different feel. One, gave me anticipation to cross the end and reach the biggest pagoda in the park, and the other, chill and cold despite a hard climb of such an elevation.

5. Gates. The characters flashed in the digital monitor may be all foreign but the vibe is just as pleasant. Both entrance and exit gates seem to have welcomed and thanked us - the work-of-art structure was a bonus.

No fee is charged when entering the park. The only charge anyone may have to pay is if he/ she enters the game arena hidden inside the park's biggest temple. It was an unusual site in the park - an old structure housing a modern facility. I actually thought that the noise we're hearing from outside is that of a practicing group of martial artists. We were instead greeted by skaters and arcade players.

Quanzhou has a smaller version of West Lake - East. In the next visit, I hope to visit it too.

Ni Hao Once More

QUANZHOU CITY. This is my second but then again, this is for work. So I really owe my employer big since I'm getting the opportunity to travel to this part of China. I would never have made it as part of my regular travels. After 14 months, it has been improving once more like it obviously has the first time I went there. Buildings in construction, roads under renovation. I'm lucky to have witnessed this period of a thriving city.

One proof of the City's progress is an amazing sewerage system. They merged beautification and function and made it work as one. I didn't even realize it at first. Brilliant idea in having the sewer pass through the main highways of the city and not being noticed at all. And just because it was covered by landscapes and art. The water seem to have been treated already since it's almost like just an ordinary river flowing along the roads of Quanzhou.

Marker of the sewerage (behind).

Nothing much happened during the first day, other than meeting of course, new faces in the person of 3 colleagues from the office. Although I knew before hand that my co-auditor and I would be in the same flight with two others from our operations division, in the name of Kenneth and Mikel. I have no face to associate it with. Zero. I learned later too that there's three (Erwin included) and they were the ones we've been guessing to be while we were at NAIA. I was just glad they are nice persons. At least, when I went to approach them due to a badly needed help of contacting our transport from the airport to the office or hotel, I was lucky to have been greeted with smiles and affirmations. I was lucky they weren't the snob ones. We've had the luxury too of being treated by them in a simple dinner party in their pad. Which, favor we returned as well, before we finally returned to the Philippines. Dinner at Sichuan Grilled Fish was sumptuous. I didn't know the exact name if the dish we ordered but what was certain is that the large serving dish was left empty (even the fish bones was in our plates) in minutes. The boys had to order extra rice. Yum!

Dinner served at home by our generous hosts

The restaurant where we treated our hosts for dinner too.

And well of course, there's that meeting with the new personnel (eight of them already) in our office. Oh if I could remember them all, I'm afraid I won't. I could only recall 2 English names, Sam and Darwin. And there's Lili, there's the accountant, the HR, the Treasury and the driver. Again, I could only say ni hao and xiexie  in greeting and thanking them. But at least, my knowledge of basic simplified Chinese improved in the next days, adding shi, meiyou, zao an, xiawu hao, bu keqi, cha, mi fan, bing shui, and of course I could count from, yi, er, san, si, wu  already. Thanks to a tip fro Erwin that Google translate does help a lot. And it did!

Because the weather was just the right cold for any stroll, we did that most often. Walk around. Of course, that is on the occasional breaks from work - to buy our merienda or to eat out for lunch. All of which we enjoy doing because of the side trip - sightseeing and picture-taking!

Shoalin monk crossing

 And on the streets, there's just too many to see and to take photographs of:

Fruit stands on the go.

Their version of our pedicab.

KFC's delivery car - China's hari ng kalsada.

This trip was more work than leisure as compared to last year's when we visited at least three of Quanzhou's attractions: Kaiyuan Temple, Shoalin Temple and the Monument to Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) or we call it Mount Success. And where we went to at least four malls or shopping centers if I'm not mistaken. And where we'd practically go out most of the nights (and day) if we'd have the chance. Perhaps it was understandable for first timers. In this trip, I spent most of my time if not in the office, in the hotel. Work is taken home for the night. Or work is imported from the Philippines (laughs) and done at night.

But this has its moments too. And of course, it's the trying-a-new-food-challenge that would top it all. Where do I start I don't know, but all of which, I may say is just over-the-top great and not bad at all. First on the list is the special sea worm soup served in a dinner sponsored for us. I remembered sitting at the dinner table and taking that first bite while all eyes were on me. I thought I was growing to throw up, because I wasn't really adventurous when it comes to food but I made it - with everybody's support, which later I realize I don't need because the worm didn't taste like one after all (as if I tasted one). The persimmon we bought in the streets, that one-of-a-kind dumpling during one late lunch, the seafood soup and other seafood dishes we had for lunch in Masters restaurant in the newly-opened Wanda Mall in Quanzhou...and the list goes on.

Kamatis in the outside, santol in the inside but tastes chico - Persimmon.

Dumpling

Noodles and Chili Chicken

Bonus: Newly-opened franchise of international brand, BreadTalk.

I didn't miss the chance to try my favorites again - the juiciest and tastiest siopao I have ever tried and the home-made beef noodles. Both of which, was perfect for lunch plus my favorite bottled milk tea. We had to go back twice to that siopao store, since it was already closed the first time. I learned later that it opens thrice daily - 6-8, 10-12, 4-6 (or around those times). Good thing it didn't closed operations. I would have felt really bad. If I'd be given one food to eat for a day, I'd choose that siopao. How ironic because I'm not a fan, but it earned my liking.

The siopao store.

Over all...streets and food filled this trip, not to mention the persons I had casual conversations with, learned from and ultimately made friends.

Xiexie.

Home Away From Home

QUANZOU CITY, CHINA. The first was last year. It was a standard double-bed room and the the second, which was just last week, was a junior suite. I really enjoyed staying for late night work at the latter because I could use the internet-ready flat screen desktop. And although the windows is in Chinese, its navigable. Besides, heavy computer users like me could always find ease in searching for that internet explorer icon.

Anyway, I was really surprised the company gave us a suite. I later remembered I was advised that we would be using a different room this time because the hotel is almost fully-booked. Woah! If this would be the result of full bookings, then so be it always! The room was just so spacious I thought of inviting the whole family to come over (if only). For anyone who doesn't have the luxury to book in hotels, that was already great for me. Haha. In my trips (not business like this), as you know, I take budget rooms, transient houses, inns, etc - never a hotel.

A welcome fruit basket from the friendly Chef Jin of the hotel's restaurant.

Living and work area and a powder room to the right of the alley .

Dresser at the far right and hidden left is a private bath.

Queen-sized bed with fluffy comforters and soft linens and sheets.

Private bath with hot and cold shower and the basic toiletries you need.

Our room, which hosted us for 6 days was more than enough to provide a comfortable sleeping space. The hotel was, a home away from home. And although it felt short in that part of a service where guest will actually be received with welcome speeches (Good day ma'am sir, welcome to Diamond Hotel! We are happy to host you and serve you in your stay!), the smiles from its restaurant staff and the chef, the reserved smirks of the front desk was more than OK. If communication was not a hindrance, then, it would have been better.

Touchdown and Takeoff

XIAMEN CITY, CHINA. I had a very limited experience of the City of Xiamen. I didn't have a chance to go beyond the walls of its airport. So I only had a view of the city from above thru the windows of our plane or a view of it in passing thru the windows of our land transport from and to the airport - nothing more, nothing less. But every view and angle, it's no doubt a beautiful and well-planned city, which I hope to explore in the next visit.

My experience of the city is yet again thru the airport:
Xiamen airport serves flights to and from the city and neighboring districts and towns of Fujian province in China. Its official name is Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. Its structural design is quite unique from what I grew up looking, NAIA terminals. Xiamen's is more modern and is predominantly circles.

Urban planners of the city have obviously done their home works well.

The airport's exterior is a classic design.

Moving walkway provides convenience to the passengers.

China Duty Free and your comfy seats at your service.

Souvenir shops are everywhere too (background).

And thru the roads from and leading to Xiamen:
We passed through two successive tunnels, the longer one being, Shantou Tunnel at 393 meters and the shorter, Sucuo Tunnel at 353. And through Xian'an Tunnel which, aside from a really grand entrance, boasts also its unbelievable length. Well it took us almost 5 minutes to get out at a speed of 80kph. It connects Xiamen to Xiang'an and is said to be the first subsea tunnel in Mainland China and is about 9 kilometers long.

Landscaped islands is a usual sight along the highways.

Sucuo Tunnel

Shantou Tunnel

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Expressway from Quanzhou to Xiamen.

Xiang'an Tunnel

This trip is my second but the real touchdown in the city still remains to take off. I hope that if a business trip brings me back, I could explore a little of this inviting city.

3rd Run for the Pasig River

QUEZON CITY CIRCLE. For three years now, I've been a participant in this run-for-a-cause event. October 10, 2010, November 12, 2011 and September 28, 2012 - all three dates required me to wake up at 2AM being the earliest and 3:30, the latest. Whew! The time would always almost lead me to giving up, but then, anything for the fun of taking part in cleaning Pasig River.

Shortly after the rain showers and early before the run started, balloons were flown into the air. Another attraction which drew more anticipation form the crowd including our group.

Balloons were lit and send off to the skies.

Lined up waiting.

We waited for our turn for quite too long, but we're glad to have created our own ways of making the wait fun.

Playing on the streets.

We took a shortcut to stop the agony of waiting. It was 30 minutes past 7 when we decided to start moving and it was the brightest idea. We started with the 5K run with more than a 1K finish in our belt already. Good that the weather was just right for the walking (yes not running). It wasn't too hot nor too cold, although the occasional rain shower left us scared sometimes, we were still blessed to have not been wet (with the exception of sweat running all over our tired faces).

Crowd of students, yuppies etc.

Foot traffic replaced the usual vehicles.

The runners, at times dispersed, often crowded.

The finish line - a relief.

9AM. Or was it past 9 already. We completed the run with a smile of relief. Another one! We hope it wouldn't be the last 5K we'll take. We had 2 3Ks already...and we're up for the next ones. 

The Quezon City experience.

The route started in Commonwealth Ave. cor Elliptical Road, we U-turned at Luzon Ave.corner Commonwealth Ave. and finished (backed) at QC Memorial Circle. Indeed, it was undoubtedly one of a kind, Quezon City experience!

TAGAYTAY Do-It-Yourself

When best to visit?
Because of its proximity to Manila, many would really find it easy to go anytime. It's closer than the Philippines' summer capital but the cold climate works the same as its closest competitor.

How long?
Usually a day trip would do...overnight is better.

How to get there?
It could take a minimum of an hour to drive to Tagaytay either via Coastal Road and Aguinaldo Highway or via SLEX and taking Sta.Rosa exit. If you're commuting, buses (Erjohn & Almark, San Agustin and buses to Nasugbu, Batangas) from Lawton in Manila or Cubao in Quezon City are easy to spot along Roxas Boulevard or EDSA.

How to go around?
Tourists usually bring their own vehicle --- the easier way to go around. But of course, public transportation is available and these we made use during our trip. Convenient for us since we (Jules and I) practically know the place well.

Where to stay?
Because we didn't stay in a hotel or guest house (and I never, in any of my trips to the City), I can't really recommend any. But transient and guest houses, inns and hotels are available and there's so many to choose from.

Where to eat?
I personally like Leslie's and Mushroom Burger. But you can always bring your favorite in a lunch box. Picnic areas are everywhere. In this trip though, we only went to Mushroom burger for our merienda. We had our dinner in Balinsasayaw which is in the neighboring town of Silang.

What to do?
The simplest way actually is to just dine in any of the restaurants at the side overlooking Taal. It's perfect that way already. But to the more adventurous, you can always go to the local favorites - Palace in the Sky and Picnic Grove, the latter having more activities (kite flying, zip line, cable car, etc.) in store for its visitors.

What to bring home?
Buko pies by Colettes are a local favorite. And both fresh and dried mushrooms from Mushroom Burger are also great.


How much to budget?
When we prepared for this trip, we didn't really do much of the budgeting part. We only set a P1,500 mark, all-in. Well, thanks to a free packed meal (c/o my sister) which we took for lunch at Palace in the Sky. This just doesn't include accommodation as well, which again was free since we just stayed at home for the night.

Roughly, we had the following expenses (per pax) for our Tagaytay trip. It worked for us so I guess, it would work for anybody too.

Day 1:
Jeep to Silang (Balinsasayaw) - 16
Share in dinner for 4 - 200* - balinsasayaw rice, bulalo and adobong pusit
Assorted Pasalubong -180
Jeep to Tagaytay - 12*
Starbucks Frapp - 125
Van to Dasma - 50
Tricycle to house - 16
TOTAL - P599

Day 2:
Jeep to Silang (Church) - 14
Refreshment (Softdrinks) - 6
Bus to Tagaytay (Tagaytay) - 25
Refreshment again (McFloat) - 25
Jeep to People's Park (Palace in the Sky) - 17
Entrance in People's Park - 30
Share in Cottage (P100) - 25
Tricycle to Picnic Grove - 20
Picnic Grove entrance - 50
Souvenir shirt at Picnic - 120
Jeep to Olivares - 11
Jeep to Mushroom Burger - 8.50
Mushroom Burger - 100*
Jeep to Olivares - 8.50
Collettes Buko Pie - 60*
Assorted Pasalubong - 120
Bus to Dasma - 40*
TOTAL - P680
Wuhooo!!! For some of us, the P1,500 initial budget was actually too much. haha


*I'm not really sure...I don't have food prices in my notes so it's a guesstimate :)

2D1N Tagaytay Itinerary

Day 1
7:00PM - Dinner at Balinsasayaw in Silang
9:00PM - Coffee break at Starbucks - Tagaytay

Day 2
9:00AM - Mass at Our Lady of Salette
10:00AM-Photo-ops at La Salette
11:30AM- To Tagaytay
12:30PM- Lunch at People's Park
2:00PM-Siesta at Picnic Grove (Yes, siesta...we just laid on the grass and relaxed under the shades of a tree. The park actually offers activities, but we opted to just do it laid back. Activities are available such as Ziplines are at P600/pax and horseback riding is at P150.)
3:30PM-Merienda at Mushroom Burger
4:30PM-Back to Dasma

So this wrapped up my Tagaytay trip...definitely this will not be my last.