Missing Thailand, one dish at a time

Today, I got my first taste of authentic Mango and Sticky Rice (Kanin Club) - as in the native delicacy and not the Blizzard version.  Pathetic, I know.  But in my defense, I rarely eat kakanin so no need to be judgmental.

Kanin Club's Mango and Sticky Rice

Kanin Club's version has macapuno and chocnut bits sprinkled on top of it.  Ahh heavenly~!  Perfect for me and my sweet tooth.  It made me miss Thailand though where my love for this wonderful pair started.

Sagad sa Sagada: Let the (mis)adventures begin!

En route to Sagada

A lot can happen during lunch and merienda breaks.  Our Sagada adventure started out as nothing but wishful thinking during one lunch time chismisan.  In less than two months, we made it happen just in time for our batch's 4th anniversary.

The breathtaking view you get to enjoy if you take the Benguet route.  Unfortunately, I was asleep most of the time.

Travel buddies: Erin (organizer), Mabel, Vanie, Mayee, Faye, Tuns, Jeng (oganizer), Arvin, Rach, Eric and Meg

ETD from Cubao (via Victory Liner): 9:00 PM (tickets cost Php 450)
ETA in Baguio: 3:00 AM
ETD from Baguio (via Lizardo Bus): 6:00 AM (tickets cost Php 220)
ETA in Sagada: 11:00 AM

One might think that 12 hours on the road is crazy but I'm up for it - I've had worse.  The latest being the 8-hour ride turned 12+ hours from Cambodia to Thailand on a hot summer day.  At least our destination this time has cooler temperature so sleeping won't be a problem for me as I usually sleep my way through long trips be it by land, sea or air.  All I need are my trusty travel pillow, sleep mask, earphones and an iPod, and I'm good to go.

Since all of us are first-timers in Sagada, we decided to take the Benguet route instead of Bontoc.  The view is said to be breathtaking plus there will be a stop over in Baguio so we'll have time to take a breather before heading to Sagada.

Another beginning

Travel blogs fascinate me.  The way bloggers sum up their travel experiences into a post and select a handful of favorites from thousands of photos amaze me.  From reading travel blogs, I discover new places to explore, exciting dishes to try, life lessons to learn, and tips I can use on my next adventure.  Not only do they make me excited for my upcoming trips, they also encourage me to go on more ambitious ones.  These blogs inspire me to become not just a better traveler, but a better person as well.

So last week, as I was doing research on Begnas* (I seriously need a cure for my Sagada hangover, I know), I found new travel blogs to follow and fell in love with their posts and pictures.  I excitedly shared these blogs with my friends over merienda and their reaction was something I didn't expect.

Friends: Hey, why don't you start your own travel blog?  You've been to a lot of places already, I'd love to read about your adventures!  Sure, you tweet or instagram a couple things but a blog might be better.  *Cue: hilarious blog name suggestions*

Me: Ehhh I can't do that!  I would just get depressed from reminiscing my previous travels wishing I was back there and not here blogging away.  Plus, I can't even take good photos.  Heck, I can't even upload photos (which I didn't even take) on time!  I'm too lazy!  Masipag lang ako mag-comment.

 Friends: Yun nga e!

And that got me thinking.  As I've learned from traveling, you can't say you can't do it unless you've given it a try.  So why don't I give blogging another try?  I won't guarantee this to be purely a travel blog but it'll be the main focus for sure.  After all, traveling is possibly my greatest love.  Plus, I can't even squeeze in all my stories in my teeny, tiny Filed organizer. HAHA

So, come join me in another adventure? ;)



*A cultural festival celebrated 3 times a year (where Igorots dress up in their traditional clothes complete with accessories and weapons).  Each celebration is based on the agricultural calendar of the I-sagadas (Sagadians).  Lucky are the tourists who get to experience this festival as there are no exact dates.  The dates are only made known at least 2-4 days before the festival.  - SaGGAs