Exploring Old Bagan, Myanmar.

On my first day to this ancient city, I headed south riding a bicycle to explore thousands of pagoda and stupa and  trying local snacks being sold along the road. The lady in pink was selling mashed boiled banana and sticky rice mixture wrap in banana leaves that adds flavor to this delicious treat. She also offered coarse sugar  for added sweetness and texture . Don't worry the lady is not covered in dirt, she applied "Thanaka" a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark, commonly applied to the face and arms by women and also by men.

Laing Pasta of Small Talk Cafe, Legazpi City.

A unique homegrown pasta dish made special by the sauce itself. The white creamy sauce is made of taro leaves which grows abundantly in Bicol Region, Philippines, tuna flakes and of course a generous amount of chopped chili for that extra kick. #smalltalkcafe 

Mayon Hot Lava Ice Cream of Small Talk Cafe in Legazpi City.

Scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, sprinkled with bukayo (candied coconut strips), generous toppings of roasted pili nuts and lastly the oozing red chili sauce that makes this dessert extra special. #smalltalkcafe

Soy Bean Curd "Taho".

A typical street food in the Philippines, it is made from soft/ silken tofu (soy bean) mixed with caramel sugar for added sweetness and flavor, and generous amount of small tapioca pearls. You may even ask the peddler how much caramel and tapioca to mix in your order. I enjoy eating taho in the morning as part of my breakfast as you can see I bought two.

Rice in bamboo.

Saw this humble snack outside the Ankor Wat Temple in Cambodia. Its a sticky rice cooked inside the bamboo mixed with red beans, shredded coconut meat, coconut milk, and salt. It has a mild smoky flavor and you can eat it on its own.

Temples of Cambodia.

Visiting these temples feels like travelling back in time, wondering how ancient civilizations was able to plan and build-up such monumental structures.

Cebu Pacific www.cebupacificair.com has a direct flight from Manila, Philippines-Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Ginger Lime.

A cold bug struck me when I was in Bagan, Myanmar. Ginger lime juice was my natural medicine of choice. I drank it twice a day, every restaurant has their own version be it warm or cold, made into smoothie or mixed with lassi.

Puff pastry and moon cake.

 I was obsessed with puff pastry and moon cake when I was in Myanmar. The puff pastry is commonly filled with curry while moon cake with mung bean and salted egg. It is typically served with barley tea to freshen your taste buds and crave for more.

Green Curry.

Tender pork strips in Bagan, Myanmar simmered in rich thick coconut milk with generous amount of green chili. Perfect to spice-up your lunch.

Tom Yum

Combination of sour and spicy flavors that is truly unique of Thailand. Think of lemon grass, lime, fresh vegetables and choice of meat (chicken, pork or beef). This dish is also served anywhere in Myanmar. 

White Curry.

Fresh fish in Bagan, Myanmar cooked in creamy coconut milk with lots and lots of sweet white onion. Best served with steaming white rice.

Patupat

Rice cake version of Pangasinan, Philippines. Glutenous/ sticky rice cake cooked in coconut milk and brown sugar.