Ubud Monkey Forest

One of Bali, Indonesia's popular nature attraction is Ubud Monkey Forest. A sanctuary, owned by the village of Padangtegal, that houses four different types of monkeys and contains more than one hundred different types of trees. The hindu temple Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal and Holy Spring bathing temple are also found in the Monkey forest.

The Ubud Monkey Forest is a remarkable place to observe the monkey's behavior and the way they live.


Ubud Monkey Forest
Adress: Jalan Wenara Wana, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Opening Times: Monday- Sunday 0830-1800H
Admission: 20,000 Indonesian Rupiah about 2 USD

CAUTION: Some of the monkeys are aggressive and they bite!

Camiguin Island

If you ask me about my top destinations on my travel bucket list, it would be an exotic island anywhere.

One of my favorite island destinations in the Philippines is Camiguin.  A pear-shaped volcanic island in the northern tip of Mindanao with an abundant nature and picturesque view of the ocean. Divided into 5 municipalities with a population of less than 90,000, the island's resources are well- preserved or unexploited that makes it out of the ordinary.

The island provides a tranquil retreat to those who simply wants to relax and enjoy the scenery. The active volcano can be an exciting experience for mountain climbers and hikers. Beach lovers will surely fall in love with the powdery sand and crystal blue water of White island. And it is also perfect destination for scuba divers since its rich marine sanctuaries offers an amazing variety of marine wildlife.

Tours around the island like a visit to the sunken cemetery, hot springs, waterfalls, Spanish churches, White island are available at the local tourism office or the hotel tourist information.

How to get to Camiguin Island

By Air:
Direct flights from Manila- Cagayan de Oro or Cebu- Cagayan de Oro via Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines or Air Asia Zest.

By Boat:
Travel by sea from Manila- Cagayan de Oro or Cebu- Cagayan de Oro via Superferry 2Go or Negros Navigation.

Option 1: From Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin via fastcraft
From the airport you can take a taxi to Macabalan port (CDOC seaport) then take a fastcraft (Ocean Jet) direct trip to Benoni port in Camiguin.

Option 2: From Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin via Balingoan
From the airport or Macabalan port take a taxi to Agora Bus Terminal. Take a bus or van to go Balingoan and from Balingoan port, take an hourly ferry boat to Benoni port in Camiguin.

Oprtion 3: From Jagna Bohol to Camiguin via fastcraft or ferry boat.
From port of Tagbilaran, you can take a bus to Dao Integrated Bus Terminal. Then take another bus to Jagna Bohol Port, take a fastcraft or ferry to Balbagon Port, Camiguin.

Our resort

Fishermen's village

Sunken Cemetery

Spanish Church Ruins

Ruins

Nature

Waterfalls

Sunset

White Island

Benoni Port

Shrimp Salad with Salsa Sauce

Yes, I know I'm a shrimp lover. Most of my shared recipes here are shrimp dishes. Anyway just came back from an exotic island holiday and guess what I have been eating? Shrimps!!!

Today, will share my Shrimp Salad with Salsa Sauce recipe. Well the truth is, the other night, my husband and I had Mexican take out. Since I really liked the salsa sauce so I experimented, made my own salsa sauce and used it as a dressing on my Shrimp Salad. Why not?!? And believe me, it tastes really good. Hope you enjoy! ;)

Shrimp Salad with Salsa Sauce

Ingredients:

12- 15 pieces Tiger Prawns

2 Tbsp Salt

2 Tbsp Pepper
1 Tbsp McCormick Perfect Pinch Garlic and Herb (optional)

2 Cups All Purpose Flour (or other coating flour) 

Cooking Oil

Lettuce Leaves

1/2 Cup Olives chopped

1 cup Salsa Sauce

3 Tbsp Sour Cream

2 Tbsp Crushed Avocado

Method:

1) Wash and clean the Prawns. Remove the Prawn's head and skin but keep the tail.
    Slice at the back of the prawn, remove intestine.

    Mix McCormick perfect pinch garlic and herb, salt and pepper together with the prawn.     Set aside for 15 minutes.

2) In a large bowl, pour flour.
    Roll prawn one by one in the flour mixture until they are covered.
    Place them on a clean plate.

3) A pan with oil, turn heat to medium-high, until the oil begins to bubble.

4) Place the prawn on the pan, make sure they have enough spaces from each other.
    Fry until golden brown.

5) When done frying, remove from the oil and place on a paper towel to drain.

6) Prepare salad, chop the lettuce leaves and olives and place salad in a bowl. 

    Put the fried shrimps on top of the salad then pour Salsa sauce, add sour cream

    And crushed avocado on top. Makes about 2 servings.

Homemade Salsa Sauce Ingredients:

3 Tomatoes chopped

2 Tbsp Onion

2 Cloves Garlic minced

1 Jalapeno chopped

2 Tbsp Lime Juice

Salt 

Pepper

Method:

1) Combine onions and garlic with chopped tomatoes, peppers, lime juice, 

    Salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours to blend flavors. 

    Makes about 2 cups of salsa.

Food Diary: Vietnamese Cuisine

Living in Vietnam for 3 and a half years, I must admit I'm quite bad at trying out the local cuisine. My husband and I only go to Vietnamese restaurants when we have guests coming over to visit us in the lovely city of Saigon. My favorite Vietnamese dishes are made of seafood and vegetables like Vietnamese spring rolls and seafood noodles. Our favorite Vietnamese restaurants here in HCMC serves good and authentic Vietnamese food. So when you travel to Ho Chi Minh City, here are some of the restaurants that serves appetizing Vietnamese favorites.


Barbeque Garden
135A Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Thành, HCMC

Vietnam House
93 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, District 1, HCMC

Tau Ben Nghe
Bến Du Lịch Bạch Đằng, Tôn Đức Thắng, District 1, HCMC

Outdoor Hot Tub

Going out for an outdoor spa during winter time will surely relax your mind and body.

After a long and tiring day of showing my parents Skåne, where my husband is from. My amazing husband surprised me and my parents with a trip to an outdoor spa hot tub when we were on a holiday in Sweden last month.

It was a big jacuzzi with cozy hydro massage and luxurious led lights, the temperature outside was 3°C but the water was very warm and relaxing. The moment I knew about the outdoor spa, I was thrilled! It was my first ever hot tub experience and believe me, we had a blast.

Relaxing Spa Holidays in Skåne.

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

As a dedication to the Filipino and American soldiers who lost their lives during World War II, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is an exceptional place to visit. A tranquil place where we can pay respect to the people who sacrificed their lives to save our country.

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Fort Bonifacio (formerly known as Fort William Mckinley) in Taguig City, Metro Manila in the Philippines. With a land area of 615,000 square meters, it has a total of 17,206 graves. A place of interment for heroes and martyrs who fought during the Battle of the Philippines (1941- 1942) and also soldiers who were killed in New Guinea.


Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Address: Taguig City, Manila, Philippines
Coordinates: 14° 32′ 27.6″ N, 121° 3′ 0″ E
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 0900H- 1700H except Dec 25 and  Jan 1

 

Winter in Paris

Some weeks ago, I was in Paris with my parents and husband. It was a lovely sunny day, just perfect to go around and see Paris. Since I knew we'll be walking the whole day, I wore my most comfortable yet ''modish'' winter outfit. After all, I am in the city dubbed as the fashion-capital of the world.

''Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.'' -Yves Saint Laurent

Outfit
Jacket: Guess by Maricano
Jeans: Levi's
Bag: Salvatore Ferragamo
Shoes: Geox
Scarf: Burberry
Gloves: Primark