TRAVEL: Lake Pandin, San Pablo, Laguna 2014

My mother celebrated her birthday last January 15, so Ed and I invited them out for Sunday lunch. She came with my sister and they actually didn't know where we're going! Hahaha. We took them to Pandin Lake, which is situated at San Pablo, Laguna. It is one of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo.

Seven Lakes of San Pablo:

• Lake Bunot
• Lake Calibato
• The twin lakes of Yambo and Pandin
• Lake Palakpakin
• Lake Muhikap
• Lake Sampaloc (the largest of the seven lakes)

We drove there by car and eventually reached the area with the help and assistance of the locals. You can park your car (pay later) and you're on for a little hike. We have this little kid in green jacket as our tour guide. 

I got really excited when we reached the lake! I mean, who wouldn't? For me, the scenery is perfect! The cool breeze touching my face is so relaxing! We didn't made any bookings or reservations and we noticed a little after we got there, some groups arrive. So I guess we were lucky that we got there early enough (around 9:30am)!

We were welcomed by the female elderly (lola in Filipino). We booked one of the raft and decided to order lunch that we can eat on board. At first I thought these lolas were just facilitating the kitchen. But no! They take turns on maneuvering the raft! Of course, with some help of their fellowman. Random thoughts came to me, like:  Is this for real? They must be strong! My respect goes to them. It's easier to get money by asking from somebody or by making utang, but they are different. They take pride of what they do. Hats off. I noticed they're wearing their uniform. So I guess Lake Pandin is being controlled/regulated, which I think is a good thing. It's not too commercial because the prices are fairly cheap and at the same time, the lake is being kept pristine.

These are us enjoying the raft!You can see by our outfit that it's so cold out there! 

Lunch! Yum-oh! Shrimp cooked in coconut cream (ginataang hipon na maliit), grilled tilapia (inihaw na tilapia, fresh buko juice, pako salad, banana, ube & leche flan (not in the photo). Their pako salad is the best I've tasted as of writing! And the buko juice? it's sooooo fresh! 

I mentioned above that Lake Pandin has its twin, right? Just a little hike (with a tour guide) and you will see Lake Yambo. We were always accompanied by a tour guide (the lolas or the ranger). And oh, you'll also notice that we were already wearing our lifevests while on the water...  Why? Lake Pandin is said to have maximum depth of 63meters. We didn't want to take chances :-)

After we got back from seeing Lake Yambo, there hanged the souvenir items for sale. They have necklaces, bracelets, and wallets. Also in the picture is my mom making a little flower/candle/prayer offering at the grotto. Belated happy birthday to you!

So that was our Lake Pandin getaway! I'm really hoping for more outings like this. I wonder where shall we go next...

FOOD: Makiling Onsen Hotel and Restaurant 2014

I was suddenly craving for Japanese food last Sunday morning! So I told my husband, Ed, and he agreed to eat out for brunch. It's still too early (9:30am) and most Japanese restaurants open at 11:00am. We find Hana Japanese Restaurant in Pagsanjan, Laguna (which we consider close to being authentic) too far to drive just for this craving. There's Eat-Sumo Restaurant near UPLB, although cheap, we find it unsatisfying. There's Ippon-Yari Japanese restaurant in Calamba (which I love) but didn't want the hassle of being stuck in heavy traffic. Then, I thought, there's a Japanese hotel which is a 5-minute drive from where we live. I haven't dined in it yet, so I'm excited to give it a try... introducing Makiling Onsen Hotel and Restaurant.

Main Entrance

Restaurant

This is a medium size restaurant that can probably accommodate up to 40-45 people... just my estimate.

Appetizers 

(L-R: Sweet and Salty Anchovies with Sesame Seeds, Kimchi, 

Kropek or Deep Fried Prawn Crackers)

Makiling Onsen serves both Japanese and Korean food, as you can see on their appetisers. And yes, they're free. Served as well with a glass of cold water.

Ed ordered Sashimi Mix and iced tea. His Sashimi Mix consists of a couple of maguro (tuna), shake (salmon), kanikama (artificial crab stick), ika (squid), and ebi (shrimp)... served on top of shredded radish. I was able to try his food. I just hope they were fresher. That's all. 

Sashimi Mix = PhP270

Iced Tea = PhP22

I ordered Salmon Teishoku and cold calamansi juice. Teishoku means a meal of a fixed menu. Here means fresh salmon served with rice and miso soup. I'm happy that I chose salmon (alone) instead of mixed sashimi. Mine is fresher than Ed's ordered. What I didn't like though is the miso soup, it's too salty for me. It tasted like Eat-Sumo's and my home-made miso soup, which nobody ate/consumed... I've tasted miso soups from Sai-Bachi, Ippon-Yari, and Fu, and they were wonderful! So I guess that was the downside of my meal. I know it's rude but I didn't finish it.. sorry.

Salmon Teishoku = PhP365

Calamansi Juice = PhP85

We plan to stay at the hotel in the future and try their onset (hot bath). I'm not sure if I'm ready for it though. 57 degrees Celcius sounds too hot for me... For those of you who plans to go to Makiling Onsen Hotel, here's their contact number:

Manong guard courteously guided us to the covered parking lot. On our way there, I glanced upon the KTV/Karaoke room, gym, and driver's lodge.

So, will we come back again? Yes, to try the onsen at the hotel :)

xoxo,

FOOD: Faustina's, Los Baños, Laguna

We've discovered Faustina's  two years ago (I think) and have fallen in love with their crepe and pasta. Since then, we've eaten there countless of times already and we'll keep coming back to try the rest of the items listed on their menu :-)

We decided to have our dinner at Faustina's earlier. I'm actually torn between having pizza & pasta or rice meal... (I actually thought of ordering both, and just take out the leftover pizza which I am planning to eat for breakfast, lol) but since I want to stick on my diet, I decided to omit the pizza & pasta (for now!) 

Pumpkin Soup (PhP93) - For starter, Ed and I both had Pumpkin Soup, served with a piece of garlic bread. It's like the comfort food for me (the one that I wished for but momma "never" made, lol). Well, I really liked it.

Grilled Soy Ginger Chicken (Php196) - Ed had this char-grilled chicken marinated in a soy and ginger sauce, served with steamed rice, a side of green salad and garlic mayo dressing. You get to choose which dressing you would like to have: garlic mayo, french, or tomato french. Yummy!

Pan-fried Fish Wrapped in Bacon (PhP218) - This is my first time to order this. I saw in the menu that this is Cook's Favorite so why not give it a try ;-) It's a pan-fried fish fillet marinated in citrus and herbs, wrapped in bacon, served with steamed rice, a side of green salad and garlic mayo dressing. I had two garlic mayo dressings, one for the fish and one for the salad. Had I known that the fish will come with garlic mayo by default, I think I would have chosen french or tomato french for the salad. But hey, it's no big deal :-) I like how the bacon added flavor to the fish, which by the way is very soft and juicy. Having this, I got that "healthy eating" feeling! Good stuff ;-)

And lastly Ed had Apple Shake (PhP65) while I had a Hot Chocolate (PhP52) made with tablea from Batangas and a spot of milk.

Prices indicated above are as of writing, July 11, 2013. You may check their complete menu and prices from their facebook page: Faustina's Complete Menu

Faustina's

Lola J Building, 10278 Ruby Street, Los Banos, Laguna 4031

Tel. No.: (049) 501-1509

How to go there?

When in Los Banos, ride a jeep with "UP College - Kanan" signboard. Tell the driver to drop you off at Raymundo Gate. It's just about a 100 meters upon entering the UPLB campus. Faustina's a minute walk from Raymundo Gate, you won't miss it ;-)

xoxo,

FOOD: Ippon-Yari Japanese Restaurant, Calamba

Edward and I have been craving for sashimi in the past few days. We tried eating at a Japanese restaurant in Alabang but the sashimi that day was not available. So today, right after our Saturday Swimming, we went to Ippon-Yari Authentic Japanese Restaurant for lunch. Yes, it is posted on their entrance the word "authentic" and hey, that really are!

When you eat there, you are served a vegetable salad and toasted rice tea (cold). This is a plus point for the restaurant.

 I ordered salmon sashimi, agedashi tofu, miso soup, rice, and orange juice.

Vegetable Salad Vinaigrette

Shake (Salmon) Sashimi - This is an all-time favorite that I ALWAYS order whenever available. I also liked the seaweeds that came with it. Too bad Uni Sashimi is now out of the menu. It's one of my favorites too!

Agedashi Tofu

This is ME. Didn't they say not to take photo against the light? :-D

Ed ordered chili beef ramen with egg & nuts, (I actually forgot how it's called), maguro (tuna) sashimi, miso soup and iced tea.

Chilli Beef Ramen with Egg and Chopped Nuts - Ed wasn't able to consume all this so I came to rescue! Lol

Maguro (Tuna) Sashimi - This one is also very fresh, just like the salmon.

This is Edward enjoying his food.

The waitress offered us free coffee after meal. Another plus point! But since we were so full, we decided not to have it. 

Overall it was a very satisfying meal. There is really a big difference between coming out of a foodplace just full and coming out full and happy. We were very satisfied and happy.

Total Bill: PhP1,220.00

Other Plus Point(s): 

The friendly security guard who assisted us in parking. They offer 20% discount on Sundays and Regular Holidays

Business Hours: 

Daily 11am-2pm / 5pm-11pm

Location:

National Highway, Brgy. Turbina, Calamba City, Laguna

Will we come back again? DEFINITELY!

xoxo,