Travel adventure of Wardo the dog

Summary of my cultural travel to Nepal

Pannzian Beach Resort, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Located at the tip of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and next to Municipality of Adams, Panzzian Beach Resort is a place to relax, unwind, and eat good food (I mean real GOOD FOOD). Driving a private vehicle you will reach Panzzian after the famous Patapat Viaduct just look at the left side of the road. 

Driving can be tiring but once you enter the restaurant you will be relaxed by its ambiance. Sea breeze blows freely, natural light, wooden tables and chairs, high ceiling and roof made of nipa/anahaw.

Restaurant and dining area

Friendly Labrador dogs will greet you and they are really friendly.

   Pannzian's famous mulberry ice cream, take note it is grown in their own garden

Mucho- the chocolate colored labrador, he is always wet as he loves to swim 

buttered shrimp and pasta

Kamias and basil shake

One visit is not enough to try all their heirloom dishes. For sure I'll be back for more!

Pasta with pineapple wine from Adams, Ilocos Norte

Today I made a pasta dish with pineapple wine.

Ingredients:

1. 200 grams linguine pasta
2. 6 pieces medium size prawns (sugpo), cooked
3. 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
4. 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary
5. 2 dried birds eye chili (siling labuyo)
6. 2 tablespoon of margarine
7. 1/2 cup pineapple wine

Cooking instructions:

1. Cook pasta linguine according to instruction
2. After the excess water is drained, pour in the pineapple wine.
3. When the wine is partially absorbed by the pasta, toss in prawns, dried oregano and dried rosemary.
4. Add the margarine and chopped chili.
5. Stir for 2-3 minutes and serve.


In this pasta, I used pineapple wine from the Municipality of Adam, Ilocos Norte. They make great tasting wines and also it is one way of supporting and promoting local industry. I also replaced conventional butter to locally available margarine it has a very distinct flavor and it combines well with prawns and herbs too.

Kangkang Windmill Cafe

Last Saturday 11 November 2017, I went to Bangui, Ilocos Norte and had my lunch at Kangkang Windmill Cafe. The cafe is located near the scenic and famous windmills along Bangui Bay and if you are traversing the national highway (AH26) you will see signages pointing you to this hidden cafe at Brgy. Barruyen (map photo below):

The weather that time was humid and windy, plus its already 12 noon so its time for my lunch and my body clock never failed to remind me :-) The menu is pretty standard which include rice meals, viands famous to Ilocos like bagnet (deep fried pork), pakbet (mixed filipino vegetables), fruit shakes and sandwiches.

I ordered buko (young coconut) shake that exceeded my expectation. It was creamy, not too sweet and of course lots of buko meat.

For my meal, I had  cheese and bacon sandwich and potato fries. The sandwich also has tomato, cucumber and mayonnaise. The star in my plate was the potato fries, it was made from fresh cut potatoes and deep fried. Its a little bit crispy outside yet still soft and moist on the center. Compared to fast food or store brought frozen variety, this potato fries from Kangkang  Windmill Cafe is miles ahead in terms of flavor and taste.

Now, what would I change? maybe serve the fries with paper towel underneath to absorb the excess oil and few sprinkle of salt to enhance flavor. 

As a whole, my meal was good and looking forward to eat again at Kangkang Windmill Cafe.

Mabuhay Lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport ("NAIA") Terminal 2

In case your flight will leave from NAIA 2,  try to drop-by at Mabuhay Lounge  of Philippine Airlines. Here you can freshen up, relax and regain your energy by enjoying various light snacks like tropical fruits, sandwiches (photo below), rice porridge (arroz caldo), and choices of beverages such as soda, fruit juices, coffee and even cold beer.

The lounge also has a complimentary wi-fi connection you can use to read your personal and business emails or update your social media accounts, daily news papers and a huge flat screen television on the other side just in case you want to watch movies or games. 

Though access to Mabuhay Lounge is a privilege and requires you to be a Mabuhay Miles member with status of either Elite, Premiere Elite and Million  Miler. Passengers on business class can also avail of the lounge services.

To check other Mabuhay Lounge locations here in the Philippine or abroad please click the link below:

https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/travel%20information/beforeyoufly/attheairport/lounge

Clockwise: 1) small ensaymada, a soft sugary round bread covered with butter, cream and topped with grated cheese; 2) wheat bread with roasted beef and lettuce; 3)  herbed focacia bread with zucchini, eggplant, basil pesto spread and cheese; 4) Thai sticky rice cake topped with sweet coconut cream and slices of sweet ripe mango. 

528 Ilawod

I spent almost 10 years in Daraga, Albay during my high school and college days. Daraga is a first class municipality just few minutes away from Legazpi City and gateway to the province of Sorsogon if coming from Albay and Camarines Sur provinces. 

Through the power of social media (facebook) I learned about 528 Ilawod unique offering of baligang (Syzgium curranii) smoothie. For food enthusiast and blogger like me its worth a try, so I made sure its included on my to do list during my monthly vacation from work.

(Fast forward...) The ambiance of 528  Ilawod is cozy and relaxing, it feels like your in posh coffee shop but with a hint of local culture. The attendant/barista was very accommodating in explaining the menu and giving recommendations (it means she knows her craft). As much as I want to try all in the menu, I ended up ordering smoked fish (tinapa) pasta, baligang smoothie and calamansi tart. 

Tinapa pasta is light but packed with the flavors of smoked fish and olive oil.

Old sewing machine turned into dining table.

You can rest your feet here while eating and reminisce your childhood.

To freshen up my palate, I ordered Baligang (Syzgium curranii) smoothie.

I asked half sugar in it so I can enjoy more the sweet, sour and tart flavor of the fruit.

Calamansi tart just highlighted my eating experience at 528 Ilawod.

If you want to try and experience 528 Ilawod unique and satisfying food and drinks they are located at #528 Ilawod Lotivio Street, Daraga, Albay, Philippines.