The Travelling Mama

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Binondo in my mind ~ A visit to the world's oldest Chinatown

I find Binondo a bit overwhelming and the fact that we braved Binondo on the eve of Chinese New Year made the experience more nerve-racking.

There were just too many people reveling. However, I cannot fault the crowd. The festivity is alluring and bewitching, I think traceable to Binondo's rich culture and history!

Let's start with some trivia ~

Binondo is the world's oldest Chinatown. It was created in 1584 by the Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmarinas as a settlement for Chinese Immigrants (called Sangleys). The purpose of which is to force them to convert to Catholicism. Those who refused conversion were executed.
Binondo got its name from the Tagalog term "binundok' which means mountainous.
Binondo is the birthplace of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, the founder of the congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (the first native Filipino female congregation with approved pontifical status).
Prior to World War 2, Binondo is the center of commerce during the American occupation.

Our crib in Binondo: The Red Planet, Binondo

It is a no frills, bare essential hotel. Rooms were small but were clean and tidy. We weren't expecting much, as it was the hotel's location that made us choose this place. The hotel is barely 500m from Ongpin. Close enough to walk and far enough for a bit a peace and quiet for a good night sleep.

Pictures of the rooms (screen grab from the hotel website). Pictures are the same from the actual rooms we stayed at. We booked 2 rooms, 1 with twin beds for my boys and a double room, for me and my hubby.

Room rates without breakfast is about P1500/night. Perfect for budget and unplanned travels.

I must highlight that check-in was efficient. We arrived at 1030am and were allowed to check-in early. Though it is classified as a budget hotel, the staff service from the receptionist to the security guards was actually 5 stars.

TIPS:

Save more by booking direct as a RED member. >>> Red Planet Hotel
There is a shortcut (170m walk) going to Quitin Parades via Hormiga Street. Quintin Paredes is where you would like to go for Sincerity Restaurant; New Po Heng Lumpia and Quick Snack (by Carvajal Street).

After check-in, we walked our way to Lucky Chinatown Mall for lunch at LanZhou LaMien (aka San Guo La Mien).

LanZhou serves authentic hand-pulled noodles which are surprisingly with huge servings and very affordable.

It was good we arrived early as people were already lining up for seats. You know what they say about block-buster queues right? Food must be good!

We ordered Steamed and Fried Dumplings, Tomato LaMien, Spareribs Knife and Beef Wanton LaMien served with house earth tea. I cannot recall which-is-which when our orders came in one by one, but I can vouch that everything was spot on "masarap".

After lunch, we took the boys to the Chinatown Museum. This museum is conveniently located inside the Lucky Chinatown Mall (4th Floor North Wing, Lucky Chinatown).

You would get to explore the Old Binondo, collection of images and maps and virtual galleries.

A quick stop at the Binondo Church

The streets of Binondo starting to fill up with revelries.

Downside of traveling on a holiday: "Blockbuster queues all over..."

It was a good thing we the whole of tomorrow free. Yup, whole day "Food Crawl"

For tonight, we had to content our cravings with take aways and food deliveries (through the ever-reliable Grab).

Poor decision making here... but we are just happy we have food for tonight without need of falling in line.

So we got Kuchay Pie from Holland Bakery

Steamed and Fried Dumplings

Oyster Cake

Too cute to eat siopao

We woke up early the following day ~ Oh look, streets are clean....

Welcome to Ongpin (minus the crowd)

First stop was Eng Bee Tin.

Hard to believe that people were waiting in line for hours here last night.

Today we have the store all to ourselves :D

From Eng Bee Tin, a few meters straight up you'll find the Original Shanghai Fried Siopao. There were loads of people here last night as well.

I would say the longest I have seen people line up for Siopao...

Fried Siopao paired with Chinese Kikiam

Siopao PASSED Taste Test with flying colors.

On our way back to our hotel, we passed by Carvajal Street to get New Po Heng Lumpia and Quick Snack's Kuchay Ah Pie.

ALL Cravings Satisfied!

Very Happy Tummies signing-off (for now)...

Saturday, March 25, 2023

South Palms Resort Panglao Island, Bohol ~ Review

We stayed at the South Palms Resort during our recent Bohol holiday.

It was truly a home away from home. Staying here and enjoying its clean, pristine beach is enough reason to visit Bohol.

Things we love about South Palms Resort:

1. All rooms are cabana/villa styled. You are literally steps-away from sand. The individual cabanas seem more private and exclusive. The resort was fully booked the day we checked in and we did not feel crowded at all.

We stayed in a Deluxe Room with pool view at the quieter side of the resort (which was a bit farther from the resort restaurant and day tourists). Room is basic, but clean and comfortable. We were outside most of the time wandering so ~ no room issues here.

2. South Palms ground is vast. If you have kids, they can spend hours within sight range safe, while you enjoy your glass of ice-cold freshly squeeze fruit juice.

South Palms have two pools, this one located by the restaurant area and gets crowded with day tours. We used the one for exclusive use of in-house guest.

3. Food at the Oceanica is very good ~ pleasing to the eyes and delectable to the palate.

Menu is a bit limited and may be a bit pricey for some, but serving portion is reasonable. We had our breakfast and dinner here. Buffet breakfast options is plenty.

Our dinner orders, meanwhile, were all spot on.

Let me show you.

Breakfast

Light Dinner / Cocktails for night cap.

4. Nightly live acoustics was perfect to cap the day.

5. Gorgeous sunset

6. Hospitable and friendly Boholanos. We love Bohol, but I think what really made the difference is the heartfelt welcome of the Boholanos.

TIPS

South Palms prides itself with its heavenly SPA and massage with the sound of the waves and birds as background. By all means, get one!
Book a room away from the restaurant, as this area gets busy with day tourists. We booked a room at the far end of the resort and the area is tranquil and beach front almost exclusive.
Take a dip by the beach at sundown and get an unobstructed view of the Bohol's gorgeous sunset.

For booking and reservation inquiries:

SOUTH PALMS RESORT
Address: Brgy. Bolod, Panglao Island Bohol 6340 Philippines
Mobile: +639 17 716 7609 / Telephone: +63 38 502 8288
E-mail: info@southpalmsresort.com

Click and read about our Bohol Holiday here:

>>>>Day 1 - Countryside Tour

>>>>Day 2 - Island Hopping

>>>>Day 3 - Panglao Island

Bohol, Touring Panglao Island ~ Day 3

Day 3 is Panglao Island Tour

This tour includes a visit to the Bohol Bee Farm, Hinagdanan Cave, Panglao Church, Watch tower, Dauis Church and Alona Beach.

Panglao Church and Watch Tower

My take home souvenir from Bohol...

Dauis Church

Hinagdanan Cave

The cave was accidentally discovered when the owner while clearing the area.

He threw a stone into the hole and heard a splash. The owner built a make-shift ladder to enter the cave, and henced its name "Hinagdanan" (laddered).