Wensha Spa -the ultimate SPA

Wensha is not the classiest spa. What makes it the ULTIMATE place to de-stress is the fact that an hour of massage comes with a FREE buffet (with a Shabu-Shabu table!), free use of jacuzzi, steam, sauna, and the fact that you can sleep in for 8 hours after the massage*. The massage is quite good too. There are only two massage beds per room so you can really sleep should you decide to do so. Fo sho I'm coming back! 

Oh and in case you're wondering, body massage starts at 630 going up to less than 2 grand. Not bad huh. I got the aromatherapy and that only set me back 720. 

*There is an additional charge if you want to sleep in for more than 8 hours. Good alternative to hotels don't you think?

Best Tex-Mex in Town- CHILLY WILLY's

Country Fried Steak, Chicken and Garlic Quesadilla.

Mock Fried Ice Cream. Yum!

Ube Dessert

Availabe at Max's Restaurant for P59. I have never seen ube done like this before and it's really really good. Suggest you guys try if you like ube and cream =)

Burger Challenge

Wolf down this 3-patty burger in 5 minutes and it's FREE!

Burger Avenue at A.Venue

Miss Kebab

Kebab places have sprouted like crazy ever since the success of the more popular ones-Mister Kebab and Behrouz. I am a huge Kebab fan and it is a no-brainer choice when deciding with like-appetite friends on where to eat before or after a night of debauchery. A popular choice among people would be the Chelo Kebab and this dish is my main basis for ranking these Kebab Places. Other factors are variety of menu, price, service, etc.

1. Persia Grille, Valero Makati City

- Aside from the usual white and red sauce, they have a special yogurt-based sauce that tastes like no other and is perfect for the grilled meat of Chelo Kebab. They also serve it with a heap of long-grain rice with butter. They also have dishes that are quite uncommon but good such as the chicken dishes. Service is good and the ambience is tops (comparatively with Kebab restos) and prices are not bad at P200-300.

2. Mister Kebab, Timog Quezon City

- The crazy waiting list in this resto makes one wonder if this place is worth it. The answer is yes! For only P100-P200 one can enjoy their Kebab fares. The meat is done right and the red and white sauce taste as it should. Their new location also has a bigger and better ambiance. Sadly the line is still as crazy.

3. Behrouz, Wilson San Juan

- Behrouz is a classic and is ever dependable. Sadly the rising prices (P300-P400) and the badly maintained restos (save for the one in Metrowalk) makes it a number 3.

4. King’s Kebab, Katipunan Quezon City/Shaw Mandaluyong

- They deliver the basic- tomato, onions, grilled meat, and the red/white sauce. The menu is also pretty limited. The dishes taste okay but I wouldn’t really go back here except that it’s near where I live.

5. Perspolis, Katipunan Quezon City

- I figured the taste would be nice as the cartoon is supposedly great. I mean, the owners got to be knowledgeable of Iran and the Mid-east. Sadly I found the whole experience (food, ambiance) just wanting. Then again they are pretty cheap at P150-200.

Hanoi Suggested Itinerary

Charming must be a word used to describe Hanoi countless of times. There is something about the mad rush of motorcycles, beautiful old and new tall narrow French-style houses, temples, communist symbols, and cheap street food that makes it hard to dislike this city. There are also a lot of side trips one can take. In fact, there are just so many things to see and experience that a little planning would certainly maximize any trip to this part of Vietnam. Below is a suggested itinerary and some must-know.

HANOI

For most people who normally only have 3 days or so for trips, I recommend atleast a day to explore Hanoi.

Morning

a. Ho Chi Minh Masoleum

b. Ho Chi Minh Vestige

c. One Pillar Pagoda

d. Ho Chi Minh Museum (Entrance 10,000 dong)

e. Temple of Literature (Entrance 5,000 dong)

I suggest a heavy breakfast since depending on how much time you need per site, the following might run a little past lunch time. I suggest you take lunch in the Old Quarter because of the numerous cheap restaurants one can find. If you don’t mind spending a bit more, you can check out Brother’s Cafe which is near the Temple of Literature.

Afternoon

f. Old Quarter

g. Hoan Kiem Lake

h. Ngoc Son Temple (Entrance 2,000 dong)

i. Hoa Lo Prison (Entrance 5,000 dong)

j. St. Joseph’s Cathedral

k. Water Puppet Theatre

The following sites are picked out because of their proximity to each other which would save you that cyclo trip. Sites a/b/c/d are beside each other and e is probably a 10-min walk away. Sites f/g/h/i/j/k are also a block or two from each other and easily walkable. If one doesn’t mind the heat (if you visit on the hot season), one can also walk it from the Temple of Literature to the Old Quarter area.

If you have more time you can also check the ff. sites:

Ethnologie Museum

Army Museum

For Lodging, Old Quarter have a lot of affordable accommodations. Its location also makes it ideal. My suggested restos to check out are within the area:

Bun Cha Hang Manh – the best Bun Cha: grilled pork, vermicelli, herbs, and spring roll

Cha Ca La Vong – Oldest restaurant in Hanoi and one of the most recommended by guide books. Serves only the Hanoi specialty Cha Ca (fish)

Pho Hang Dong – Good place for the Vietnamese noodle Pho.

Fanny’s Ice Cream Parlor – One of the good French legacy here is ice cream =)

Street XXX – Sit in a corner and have a Bia Hoi (beer brewed fresh daily)

SIDE TRIPS

Ha Long Bay – If you can only do one side trip, I suggest cruising along Halong Bay. There bay is filled with limestone karsts similar to those in Palawan. The difference is that this bay has thousands of these and is really quite breathtaking. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is in the running for the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. One can also get off some islands and one of the most popular stops is the Thien Cung caves which is also called the Heavenly palace because of the beautiful formations. One can sleep overnight in a junk boat or stay in a hotel on Cat-Ba Island. Of course you can do both if you have the time. You can also do a day tour but would be too exhausting.

Perfume Pagoda – The Perfume Pagoda itself might be a disappointment but the view en route is amazing.

Sapa Valley Trek – Sapa is similar to our Banaue Rice Terraces but more expansive. It is also better preserved.

Best CHEAP SISIG- SISIG HOORAY

Can be found in most food courts =)