Akaroa Harbour

Hi there peeps! How have you been? A month has passed since I last wrote something. I'm still getting acquainted with my new environment here in Christchurch. I'm still not used to the cold weather it'll probably take time but I'll get there.

What I love about Christchurch, New Zealand?

• Ironically, the weather (even if it's too cold) the thing is I haven't had any allergy attacks since I left Manila. The fresh air  makes breathing easier it's a big YES for me. I don't have to worry about my eyes being swollen and itchy, my nose being runny all the time. 
• The gardens/park. Christchurch is a Garden City for a reason. It is a very beautiful place to see, relax and have fun. And by fun means reading a book in a quiet corner or just laying on the grass, enjoying the breeze under the sun. No one will mind. (that's the bookworm in me talking) 
• The people. They are generally friendly and accommodating. 
• The Sunday Market. I love the bargains.
• The view of the mountains, river and the nature itself. It's like a 360 degrees outstanding paradise. It's like I walk right into a book, a fariytale. The trees, the flowers, the water is in perfect synchrony. 

Those are the few things that I love about being here I've been here for a month I still have a lot to explore and know more about this beautiful place.

...And I love the weekends... weekends are for traveling and exploring places such as these...

Breathtaking view of Akaroa Harbour

 

These pictures are taken at the Hill top. I just fell in love with the place. I totally cried. My dad would have loved it here. I'm so thankful I get to experience such beauty. God is really amazing, fantastic, marvelous. He is incomparable! I'm really great full for such awesomeness. 

Gadget Review: Bavin Powerbank 9000 mAH

I think this will be the last post before I finally venture into the biggest journey of my life.  I'll keep you posted as my new journey begins. Fighting! For now, I'm giving you guys my first gadget review. ^__^

What's the use of a smart phone if you cannot maximize it to its full potential just because you've drained what's left of your battery. With all those battery draining apps that continuously run on the background I often find my phone, dead. Imagine my frustrations when there's an instagram worthy pics that I cannot take. GRRR... My phone can only last me 5-6 hours utmost doing my ebook reading, movie marathon, blog drafts, updates on different social media platforms and stalking. Lol.

Now, with my new Bavin 9000mAH powerbank worrying about my battery will never be an issue.

There are different colors available (green, white, black) but I chose Pink of course! :)

It comes with the adapter and the power cable

Bavin 9000 mAH features:

   - stylish design with good feel and insulating properties

   - high capacity lithium-ion battery

   - intelligent systems: overcharge, discharge, short circuit protection

   - clear insrtuctions and easy to operate

   - smart switch of power saving features

   - over 80% power remain after 500 times recycling

The factory charge recharge my phone two times. The initial charging took me 9 hours to had it fully charged. It never heat up like most powerbanks I've read. I used it 3 times for charging my smart phone and two times for the pocket wifi. Really great!

Powerbank is a must buy especially to those who's always on the road ( like me ) doing who-knows-what. Heehee. This is one of the best buy I have for this year. I bought mine at Php 1750 at TechnoKid. Go get one!

Ciao!

Sundays at Infinitea

After church, I always look forward for hanging out with the family after all Sunday is family day. I just wanted to relax so I asked my mom if she wanted a cup of tea. Lucky for me she said, yes. The nearest tea shop at our place would be INFINITEA at Brusmick Place and that's where we headed. 

We arrived too early that everything else was not available except for their Frappe.

Here are our orders.

Blueberry Cheesecake (left) ; Strawberry Mousse (middle) ; Green Tea (right)

I get to try their Blueberry Cheesecake Frappe and I assure you this is worth a try because it's definitely good. It is very creamy but surprisingly not too sweet.

My mom had the Strawberry Mousse it was also good but at 50% sugar level I still find the sweetness overwhelming.

 

And of course my all time favorite, Green Tea Frappe. It's my favorite for a reason that green tea is said to be healthy. LOL. I had an acquired taste for green tea, I just love it.  It tasted like Starbucks but only a lot cheaper, a very good alternative. *wink*

The price is affordable. The ambiance is relaxing. The place is well ventilated. The only missing is some music but overall. Approved!

Go try it! Ciao! 

J.Co Donuts

One day, the mom was flipping through the pages of a magazine and she saw J.CO's J.Club Katsu, J.Club Sausage, J.Club Salami. She wanted it right away and told me that she's going to treat us ( me and my brothers ) for some J.Co Donuts. So that is what happen on a Sunday Morning. After church, we went to Alabang Town Center to give way to mom's craving for donuts. Good thing we were early the line isn't too long or the trend has toned down? Unfortunately, all the donuts that the mom saw in the magazine were not available. ( Sorry mom will try again next time. ) Instead we ordered a dozen of donuts. Hehe.

My favorite includes Green Tease and Mr. Green T which is sadly not available. So, instead I tried the Choconuttzy. I love that the nutty flavor is pronounced but not overwhelming. I'm not a sweet tooth and that is one of the reason why I love J.CO Donuts. Their donuts best suits me because it is not sweet compare to others and the donuts are soft, airy and fluffy even after refrigeration.

I also ordered a Jcoccino Frappe it has the right amount of bitter-sweetness that I like.

Despite the fact that what we originally wanted at J.Co was not available we still enjoyed the bonding over donuts and coffee.

Ciao! 

Asian Traveller's Hotel & Restaurant

If you happen to be in Sta. Cruz, Laguna area and you're tired of the usual fast food joints, why not try something more local. Like, Asian Travellers Hotel/Restaurant located at Pagsawitan Road near/across the DLTB terminal.

My mom and I were to go to SSS Sta. Cruz but it was already lunch time so we decided to have our fill first. I was thinking about Chowking (again) but then my mom told me there was this restaurant that my father and his colleagues used to dine in after their municipal sessions. It's none other than Asian Traveller's Hotel & Restaurant. It offers both Filipino and Chinese cuisine.

This place is not a fine dining of sort, so don't expect anything grand but even with a non-air conditioned place and simple facade, Asian Traveller's has already made it's mark and is evident with a fully packed dining area.

 

 

 

We were just lucky that we were given a seat at once. And, because we were so hungry we ordered promptly. Unfortunately, the people on the other side of our table walked out because their food had taken so long to be served and there is a slight misunderstanding with the servers. Good thing our food was served 20 minutes after.

 

I wanted something hot to fill my hungry tummy so I ordered their Special Chicken Mami. The taste was ordinary and forgettable. It lacks seasoning so I had to add a lot of pepper to give it a kick. I like that it has lots of chicken and an egg on it.

While my mom opted for rice and an order of Beef with Ampalaya. An order is good enough for two. The beef may be a bit tough but the sauce tasted like asado siopao sauce so I like it. Hehe. The ampalaya was bitter, my mom can cook ampalaya without the bitter taste. I swear.

Asian Traveller's Hotel & Restaurant is so affordable and tummy filling. Will I go back? Maybe. They offer a lot of other dishes that I wanted to try. I heard that their Buttered Chicken is good. I have to try it.

Ciao!