New Find: Tea Rock Cafe in Banawe, QC

November 10, 2012

Tea Rock Cafe
814 Banawe St., Siena,
Quezon City

Tea shops are sprouting everywhere especially in Banawe St. in Quezon City. I think the average is one tea shop in every street corner ; p One of the newest and more spacious tea shop in the area is called Tea Rock Cafe. I spotted it a few weeks ago and was nagging DH about it ever since.  We ended up not only having a cup of tea each but also having our dinner in that place.

 (l-r) Milk Tea with pearl & panna cotta Large PhP 95 and Wintermelon Basil Seed & Lemon with grass jelly Large PhP 100

Being more adventurous than I am, DH ordered Wintermelon Basil Seed & Lemon with grass jelly. It tasted weird - sweet and sour at the same time. Word of advice to DH ---> stick to the basic like what I ordered, Milk Tea with pearl & panna cotta (25% sugar)  ; p The pearls were chewy, very much like the ones we had in Taipei, Taiwan.

Tea Rock Cafe has an extensive menu. It was also having a promo that day, buy a Bento Meal and get PhP 20 off on any drink. Who would pass up that chance?

Find out what else we ordered after the break....

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Morange

My first orange lipstick was Avon Ultra Color Rich Mega Impact in Kicked Up Coral. After using it for some time, I got tired of it and decided to give it away. When I went to Korea late last year, I bought Miss Tangerine Sweet Shower Lips from Etude House. I was not satisfied with the lipstick's sheer color and lack of staying power. I retired it and it is no longer in my purse instead it is now neatly tucked in my makeup drawer. Anyway, my search for orange lipstick continued. While in a MAC counter in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taiwan, I encountered MORANGE!

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Morange 3g NT$600 (PhP900)

I think MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Morange is the best orange colored lipstick there is!

See some swatches after the break....

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Behave Yourself

My collection of pink lipsticks is now growing with the addition of MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Behave Yourself! 

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Behave Yourself NT$600 (PhP900)

I bought it in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Taipei for only NT$600. I bought two MAC lipsticks that day! The other one is MAC Amplified Cream Lipstick in Morange. Morange is the reason why I went to MAC in the first place. I would discuss about it in another post ; p 

After getting Morange, I spotted a tester of MAC Amplified Cream Lipstick in Chatterbox but it was already sold out... whoa! It will be on my wish list and I plan to get it one day ; p  I was floored when this color was shown to me by the MUA/SA. I really like the glossy finish plus I don't even need to apply lip balm prior to lipstick application. 

OOTD: School Girl look

These days attending events posed a great challenge because I am only allowed to wear white colored blouses/tops. It is another one of the tradition that shows respect for my deceased mother-in-law. 

photo by: LushAngel

I attended two events last October 27, 2011, one in Makati Shangri- la Hotel and the other one in Society Lounge. This photo was taken during the Pond's event in Society Lounge.

What I am wearing:

• Blouse from Korea
• YB by BSN (Bossini)
• Shoes from Taiwan

The white blouse was given to me by a family friend. There are a couple more like this blouse in our family because my SIL and I wore it during the wake. 

Tiffa Body Butter from Kanebo

I love scented body butter! When I went to Taipei last December 2010, I didn't leave the country without buying one. A Watson branch is just a few minute walk away from where we were staying. I would sneak in and take a peek at what is in store almost every single day every other day.  The store has many make up collections on display. I found Tiffa under Kanebo brand of make up. I was supposed to buy only only a few Kate My Color Pencil- a retractable eyeliner but ended up buying a Tiffa Body Butter as well.

 Tiffa Body Butter 50g NTD180

From Kanebo's Tiffa line, this rose scented body butter is a great moisturizer. It contains Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water and Rosa Gallica Flower Extract.

Taiwan Chronicle: Shilin Night Market

 My visit: December 29, 2010

Shilin Night Market

Jiantan Exit Red Line

Taipei, Taiwan

One of the most crowded if not the most popular night market in Taipei! The area is known not only as a shopping haven but also food haven as well. So, if you think that spending time eating in Danshui during the day will stop us from craving Taipei food, think again. 

shabu shabu set meal  #3 NTD160

In my previous post, I shared about my hidden talent- eating while walking ; p It was a maze going in and out of the side streets, sampling almost all the food that can be bought lol Of course, a little bit of shopping was included. 

Taiwan Chronicle: Danshui

My visit: December 29, 2010

Danshui 

Taipei, Taiwan

DAY 3

Sulfur Spring Hot Bath

Danshui Harbor

Shilin Night Market

Danshui is like the San Miguel By The Bay of Taipei! I love this place. I have to go back every time I visit Taipei.

sunset at Danshui

And you thought that I am through with the day because I had the most relaxing bath ever... nope! I am not yet done. Feeling energized, we went straight to Danshui! We miss the food lol

Taiwan Chronicle: Shui-Du Spa Spring Resort

My visit: December 29, 2010

Shui- Du Spa Spring Resort

Xinbeitou, Taipei

NTD1480/ 2pax/ 2 hours stay

We were both so tired from two days of running around Taipei and we really needed a break so DH and I checked into Shui- Du Spa Spring Resort. We didn't ask around anymore if this was indeed the cheapest resort. But I can tell you, this spa was definitely one of the closest to the Xinbeitou Metro Station. Plus, I was not comfortable entering an open air public bath house. 

 facade of Shui- Du Spa Spring Resort

The hotel receptionist greeted us warmly and advised us of the 2 hour alloted period. She lets us choose from an album the type of tub we wanted, yes, there are several ; p She asked if we like to add NTD100 for an afternoon tea after check out at their lobby. We declined. She told us that there's an available and free tea/coffee sachets and 2 packs of sandwich cookies inside our room.

Taiwan Chronicle: Xinbeitou

My visit: December 29, 2010

DAY 3

Xinbeitou (Geothermal Scenic Park)

Xinbeitou Station

Taipei, Taiwan

A few years back, I promised myself to visit the hot spring in Taipei. And on my last visit, I made sure DH and I allocate one whole day to visit Xinbeitou. 

picture taken in Geothermal Scenic Park

Hot spring hotels can be found in Xinbeitou while the Old Beitou has now became Commercial Quarter. It is located in Northern Taiwan. The source of hot spring came from volcanoes' geothermal energy. 

Taiwan Chronicle: Jogoya

The entire content of this entry has been transferred in my new blog, xoxo MrsMartinez visit the link here.  

My visit: December 28, 2010

Jogoya

3rd flor NEO 19

Taipei City Hall Station

NTD798/pax

5:30pm- 11pm

My first buffet in Taipei was with Jogoya. I was accompanied by my expat friends. I was amazed with the variety of food displayed. The following year, another friend invited DH and I to another food fest and you guess it, it's in Jogoya once again! So year after year, every visit to Taipei is not complete without a trip to Jogoya. 

eating in Jogoya always makes DH happy

People used to literally wait in line to be seated. And upon assigning a seat, you will then be given a notice that there is an alloted two hour period inside the buffet area. But recently, things have changed. We were not given the two hour time frame inside. After we paid, yes you pay first before getting inside, and handed three metal clips we were ushered right into our table. No long lines now. The three metal clips are used for placement of cook-as-you-order food like fish and steak.

To read the full entry, visit Jogoya Japanese Buffet Taiwan

Taiwan Chronicle: The Lin Family Mansion and Garden

My visit: December 28, 2010

DAY 2

The Lin Family Mansion and Garden

Lin Pen-yuan Family garden

No.9 Ximen St., Banqiao City, 

Taipei County

Operating Hours: 9am-5pm

02-29653061 to 3

Our trip to Taipei was unplanned. We don't have the itinerary on where to go. We wake up, get dress, have breakfast and off we go. Where? we don't know haha The Taipei Metro Tourist Map is all we have and it's a very good travel companion. 

On our second day, it is no different, armed with our trusted map, DH scouts for places we haven't visited. Did I ever tell you that we have been to Taipei 4 or 5 times in the past? We wanted to visit places where not so many tourist abound and thus came the decision to go and visit The Lin Family Mansion and Garden.

theater in the Fang-Jian Study area

Along the way, we passed by a temple. We stop to offer some prayers and light some incense. 

Taiwan Chronicle: Tonkatsu Wako

My visit: December 27, 2010

Tonkatsu Wako

5/f K Mall

Taipei Main Station

2-2311-5626

It's true that too much shopping can wear you down! We need to eat too! DH and I spent hours in Muji and Daiso. Both shops have an entire floor for themselves inside K Mall. We finally felt hungry around 8:00pm. Looking through the fake food display outside the restaurants, we settled for Tonkatsu Wako.

DH and I shared a set of big bowl of asado noodles and unagi on rice. Cost of which is only NTD250. 

it's hot!

The big bowl of noodle is good enough to share. Well, depending on how hungry you are but we were able to manage. I am not a huge fan of noodles so DH ate the most of it.

Taiwan Chronicle: Chin May Taiwan Buffet

My visit: December 27, 2010

Chin May Taiwan Buffet since 1975

Chung Shan North Road,

Section 2, Taipei, Taiwan

02-2521-0628

As soon as we were able to check in our luggage in Hotel Green Peak, all we could ever think about was food. I tell you that's one thing Taipei is not lacking!

We were early. People mostly office workers in suits would line up come lunch time. We were able to find us a place to sit right away. A tray will be offered for dine in and a box for take out hence the name Taiwan Box Lunch or simply "pien tang".

Green Peak Hotel

My visit: December 27-31, 2010

Hotel Green Peak since 1968

No. 18, Lane 77, Section 2

Chung Shan North Road

02-25112611

Philippine Airlines

December 27, 2010

PR896 7:55

December 31, 2010

PR897 13:20

Approximate travel time: 2 hours

cost: USD290/pax

After  booking our plane tickets to Taiwan via Philippine Airlines, I didn't think that booking a hotel was  going to be a hard after all we have been to Taipei numerous times and we know a lot hotels that offer local rates.  But I can't seem to find a hotel available on the said dates. It's either the hotels were fully booked or one or more dates were not available. We booked a little late, ok, really late as in December 21 haha It was an impulsive decision of DH to book the flight, a much needed vacation if you ask me. He knew how I love Taipei and a trip to that country would really make me happy. He said it was his gift because I have been a good girl haha He miss the food too!

And so, after suffering nose bleed from speaking too much Mandarin, I got through with Hotel Green Peak. I spoke with Karen and she booked us right away. She didn't ask for a deposit, just got my flight detail and told me to call her if I will change or cancel my booking. I only called her once and that's it. 

Hotel Green Peak Taipei NTD 1, 800/ night

Bus ride #2601 from airport to hotel is about an hour. The cost is about NTD90 per pax. You have to get off at Ambassador hotel which is located on the main thoroughfare. We took a taxi ride NTD1200 to Terminal 1 on our way back to the airport but that would be another entry. 

When we got to the hotel at around 11am, I told the receptionist my name, not even my surname because Karen had difficulty spelling MARTINEZ during our conversation over the phone hehe The receptionist told me that check in time would be at 1pm and we could leave our bags at the reception area. I wasn't able to meet Karen though because I didn't bother to ask where she was haha

We had lunch at Chin May Taiwan Buffet. It is a "pientang" or taiwan box lunch. Chin May has since transfered to another location but we still visit it every time we go back. After lunch, we went back to the hotel to check if our room is available. The receptionist told us that the room is ready! And it's not even 1pm... yey!

Visa Free Taiwan

After my trip to Singapore last November, I am now off to Taiwan! As you read this, I might be Taipei already.

Normally, for Filipinos travelling with Philippine passport, an entry to Taiwan will need a visa. But if you have any visa of the folowing countries you might not need one:

• The United States
• Canada
• The United Kingdom
• Japan
• Australia
• New Zealand

Since I have both US and Canada visa, I don't need one. I thought that I could just march in Taiwan's immigration and show my passport with US and Canada visa. Wrong!

Watermelon

 circular wooden container from Ikea Taiwan