Back in the food-obsessed city of Taipei but this time around only for 15 hours. In order to save time, I took the new MRT from the airport to the central Taipei station, and unsurprisingly, the ride was highly efficient and the interiors are squeaky clean with free wifi that actually works! Got to love Taipei compared to other Asian capitals.

Let's all make love. Not war.

My first visit to Taipei last year was filled with memorable bubble tea and temple runs. With the clock ticking though, my main objective for the next few hours is discovering another side of the city that I haven't seen before.

I started off with a typical Taiwanese breakfast, a fried donut and soya milk, at a 24-hour, mom-and-pop shop called Yong He Soy Milk King then headed back to central Taipei station to meet a Taiwanese friend. She recommended that we jet off to the northern part of the city in Danshui where seafood abounds. (insert smiley with stars on the eyes here!)

Nothing can go wrong with deep fried donuts and soya milk for breakfast at this 24 hour joint!

At Danshui's Old Street. Not too busy for a weekday.

After strolling the Old Street, the best part of the day came with our lunch at a seafood restaurant that specializes in mussels. Our clam, mussels and vegetable meal, which had a dose of chopped garlic, was delightful and, of course, I couldn't leave Taipei without the crispy, deep fried oysters.  I also learned about the Three Cups style of cooking, which is a traditional Taiwanese recipe for meat and seafood combining a cup each of sesame oil, rice wine, and vinegar or soy sauce. It sounds like a Filipino adobo recipe but with sesame oil and rice wine. I must try this at home!

Nom, nom, nom. My favorite here is the fried oysters.

Happiness is staring straight at me with the right amount of saltiness and crispiness.

The chopped garlic came in a bit bigger than expected so just imagine that I had garlic breath to fend off the vampires until I got back to the airport and brushed my teeth.

Hello there! Danshui has these characters everywhere.

Knowing how Taiwan is addicted to anything matcha much like I am, we were able to squeeze in a visit to a matcha cafe, Myowa Japanese Sweet Cafe, in Da'an District. Even though we were running out of time before I needed to head back to the airport, we quickly dashed (thanks to speedy MRT) to Myowa and had our fair share of matcha latte, sundae, lava cake and ice cream - all devoured in under 30 minutes. Everything, of course, came in that healthy green glow that made me giggle like a little girl in a candy shop. I instantly went to matcha heaven!

Must try the matcha lava cake. So fun to see the matcha oozing out.

Not as good as Tsujiri but passable.

Time does really pass by fast when you're having fun. My foodie adventures ended, and I'm truly grateful for friends who take the time to tour me around their hometown. Thanks, Lucy!

Pin me!

Sure enough, you are munching on all those Christmas delights this holiday season. Instead of making you feel guiltier, I've scoured online healthy snacks and exclusive promotions to give you a headstart for the new year ahead. Take this is as my healthy holiday gift guide, especially for you, my dear readers.


Without further ado, here are the top 3 best, healthiest boxes:


1. UrthBox: Get $10 Off an Awesome Vegan Snack Box From UrthBox! Everything is non-GMO and organic. My favorite, Dang coconut chips, can be found in this box!


2. Naturebox: Get an extra 30% off your first 3 purchases! Use code THIRTY3 at checkout, max $15 value per purchase.


3. Love with Food: Discover new junk-free snacks every month and help fight childhood hunger.

Ahhh, the Land of the Smiles... and the land where gastronomes be gastronomes. With all that smell of Thai basil leaf and curries, who wouldn't salivate just from the thought of Bangkok. Alas, I was hit with multiple migraines that I eventually discovered were being triggered by Thai spices, but I continued happily eating anyway because that's what professional food bloggers must do.  #foodbloggerproblems

Pad thai with seafood from the Emporium Foodhall.

This is how I prepare myself when going on an eating expedition and pacifying a migraine. A custom-made slip dress from Print All Over Me for endless eating and comfortable day to night sandals. The show must go on afterall!

OOTD. To find out more about this slip dress, go to bit.ly/poamdp.

During my short trip in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, I was able to try hospital cafeteria food at world renown Bumrungrad International Hospital, mid-tier Nara Thai Cuisine and the higher-end The Local. A little birdie told me that Gagan, Asia's best restaurant, will be closing in 2020, so I was not unhappy when I learned that they could not roll out the red carpet for yours truly during my stay.

Best Hospital Food Ever
I avoid the hospital like the plague, especially when I'm traveling. However, I was being a nice bff and companied my bestfriend to Bumrungrad, which apparently looks and feels like a hotel. So it is not surprising that my best meal in Bangkok actually came from their cafeteria! After fish curry, a big, fat sweet and spicy fish and a huge rice bowl, I didn't mind waiting for hours on end for my friend to complete her doctor's visit.

Enjoying the simple things in life. FISH and rice!

Malls Galore
One thing I noted about Bangkok is that at every MRT stop, there are multiple shopping malls. When I asked a local friend from college where we should meet up with my travel buddies, he suggested Nara Thai Cuisine at Centralworld Plaza, but he ended up going to the other location at Central Embassy. Don't blame me!

Everyone was starving by the time food came which is why I only took photos of my favorite dishes - (1) the stir-fried soft shell crab smothered in a thick, aromatic yellow curry that had the right amount of spiciness and tanginess and (2) the meal ender, Thai ice cream with an assortment of toppings. As a big fan of Asian fruits, the jackfruit topping is definitely not to be missed. No wonder Nara Thai Cuisine is consistently ranked as one of Thailand's best restaurants and has also expanded outside of Thai shores.

Nara's signature dish didn't disappoint.

Take your pick. Mine is definitely the jackfruit.

Experiential Dining at a Traditional House
After our mall restaurant experience the night before, we were surprised with what was in store for us at The Local by Oam Thong Thai Cuisine. Also ranked as Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, The Local is uniquely set in the heart of Bangkok inside a large traditional wooden house. By large I mean that you need a host to guide you how to get to your seat. This place could be a museum on its own right. Similarly, the plethora of options that are modern takes of Thai cuisine on the menu is mind-boggling, but thanks to a local friend who asked for recommendations from the waitstaff, we were able to try the best of the lot.

Disclosure: This blog has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and the Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #LetYourHolidaySparkle #CollectiveBias

It's that time of the year again when parties and eating abound. With the chilly weather outside gathering merrily with friends for dinner, I've decided to modify a classic Hainanese Chicken recipe for a healthier version with quinoa instead of white rice and used chicken breast instead of a whole chicken. I also paired it with smartwater sparkling to add a twist to the meal while entertaining friends.

Ingredients:

Serve with a bowl of chicken soup and smartwater sparkling. Optional: sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Wat Rong Khun aka White Temple.

I will let the pictures tell you what you can expect because, unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to read about each of the temples. In terms of architecture, I was most impressed with the Blue Temple with its intricate carvings and colors that embody that sun and the sky. The Buddhist statue inside the temple is also fixated with blue floor to ceiling art.

Rong Suea Ten Temple aka Blue Temple.

The weirdest of them all is the Black Temple located in a huge compound filled with wooden artifacts and art by Thawan Duchanee and other contemporary Thai artists. I highly doubt this was meant to be a place of worship but rather was built as a museum.

Baandam Museum aka Black Temple.

Visiting the Karen Long Neck Tribe is a similar experience to visiting the Masai Mara in South Africa. Note that the tribal women sell goods that are more expensive than in downtown Chiang Rai bazaar, but I still bought a scarf and magnet anyway from the lady who let me wear the ring and take a selfie with her. She was murmuring something to me in their language, which I could not comprehend, while we were both giggling like little girls. LOL! They are already used to the tourists, so they will readily smile for you.

Such a funny experience with this woman.

The Karens are known for their custom in wearing golden rings, particularly on their neck, to create the appearance of a long neck. Historically, they came to Thailand from Burma to escape the war and violence in their country although now they are somewhat confined in their village.

Unfortunately, the younger generation don't look too happy :(

Finally, the best part is eating in Chiang Rai's night market and bazaar. A few steps away from my hotel, the Chiang Rai market offers many kinds of seafood, meats and other peculiar creatures, such as the crickets below. I was already starving by the time I finished my whirlwind tour and couldn't decide what to get for myself. I looked around to see that most local diners had a hotpot on their table so hotpot it is- I later learned that this is a traditional Northern Thailand meal!

Want some protein? Doesn't look too tempting, eh?

As I was trying to decide which massage place I wanted to go to, I passed by a window filled with cats. I'm not a cat lover but was missing my puppy. In order to go inside and play with the cats, I got a warm Thai tea and met some cats that had the largest eyeballs!

Cat n a Cup Cafe, Chiang Rai. Who has the larger eyes?

I capped off the night with a Thai massage, but I soon realized that a Thai massage is too boney for me, I prefer deep tissue or the Filipino-style hilot. The selfie with the cat above says it all.

Bye for now, Thailand!

Pin the image above.

I got countless of quizzical looks when I told my friends that my next adventure will take me to Bhutan. I was asked over and over again, "Where is Bhutan?"

Gawking at the Punakha Dzong.

Buddhist monks living in one of the fortresses.

With only a population of 700,000, it is no surprise that some Westerners and even Asians don't even know that there is such a country that measures with Gross National Happiness instead of the regular Gross Domestic Product.

After a visit to the Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple, we soaked in this view of the rice paddies.

How to get there?
Bhutan is a land-locked country sandwiched between the two world's giants, China and India. There are only 4 entry/exit points: Paro International Airport, and the land border with India at Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar. Bhutan closed all borders with Tibet when the later became part of China.

For most, the easiest way is via a flight from Druk Airlines or Bhutan Airlines departing from Bangkok or Singapore. In order to get in the country as a tourist, you must have a local travel agent to accompany you for your entire stay. In order to confirm and process your visa, you would need to wire transfer the lump sum via Standard Chartered, if you're in the US. This process is legit so rest assured that your monies are in good hands.

Tip: On your way to Paro International Airport, sit on the left-hand side window to clearly see the magical Himalayan ranges.

Majestic airplane view to Paro.

My group of 3 travelers was escorted by Thinley Dorji and our driver also named Dorji of Bhutan Travel Routers. Both of them are the most gracious and, not to mention, funniest hosts and even went to a karaoke and a club with us on our last night, ensuring that we all got home safe. Yes, there is nightlife in Bhutan!

Our guide, Thinley, is highly knowledgeable and answered all our questions thoroughly. He was also flexible in adding activities that were not in our itinerary, such as archery and visiting a local market to buy persimmons and Bhutanese alcohol, including rum, whiskey and wine.

What to expect?
After contacting more than a dozen travel agencies, I realized that a 5-day itinerary is similar among travel agencies with prices ranging between $900 to $1200, depending on the hotel and season. We had perfect sunny weather (50s to 70s Farenheit) all throughout our stay. The only differences that my travel buddies and I noticed are a tour to the Takin, Bhutan's national animal, Conservatory and an optional day to wear Bhutan's national costume. There are also longer trekking tours, such as the snowman trek, which is apparently the most difficult hike in the world. For this blog purposes, I will focus on the 5-day tour, which combined sightseeing, light hiking, food tripping and lots of photo ops, covering three towns, namely Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.

Get the bokeh ready because there are tons of portraiture opportunities in Bhutan. And the locals don't ask a penny for taking their picture.

A must do! Wearing the traditional Bhutanese dress, kira and tego. At Dochula Pass.

Bhutan is the only country that has embraced Tantric Buddhism as its national religion and the first and only country that is officially carbon negative. Therefore, expect a lot of crystal clear lakes, large phallus paintings on houses, and fortresses with multiple temples, including the most iconic Tiger's Nest, which you've probably seen on postcards or magazines, located on the cliffside of the upper Paro valley. In order to get to this sacred site, we hiked 6 hours roundtrip with a lunch pitstop at their cafe that serves a vegetarian buffet. It is an intermediate level hike with some steep rocky staircases so be prepared with good hiking shoes. Fret not, your guide will carry items that you don't want to carry. #lazyhiker

If ever you are wondering what a phallus is :)

How're the hotels?
Having lived in a hotel in Nepal for 3 months, I can say that hotels in Bhutan are a notch better. Their sheets and bed are always comfortable. The only time I got the surprise of my life is when I saw a small roach inside my luggage after checking in, but the terrace view in the morning compensated for that. Another boo boo I made is that I fell into the canal gap at our last and nicest hotel, Khangkhu Resort in Paro, while walking back to my room at night. The electricity also went out for a few hours, but it is incomparable to 8 hours of blackout in Kathmandu.

How's the food?
I am a bad food blogger if I tell you that Bhutanese cooking is very similar to Filipino-Chinese cuisine because I know most of you can't relate. #foodbloggerproblems

The country serves many types of Asian vegetables and meats that are stir-fried or roasted. It tends to be on the oilier and saltier side, but it does remind me of home-made food back in the Philippines, sometimes with hints of oyster sauce and a dash of sugar. Their staple red rice makes a meal healthier plus milk tea, which is not as sweet as authentic Indian chai, for palette cleansing is always a happy meal ender.

Bottom to top (L-R): fish fry, rice noodles, fried chicken, squash and mixed veggies.

Puffed rice snack.

Cheese that is very hard for me to eat!

The Bhutanese love cheese! The must-try dishes are chilies with home-made cheese and chili salad, which pairs well with fried meats. These chili dishes don't score very high on spiciness since the Bhutanese use medium-sized chilies dried on top of their rooftops. Just be sure to have a bottle of water to chug or ara, the Bhutanese version of soju. Another option is a bottle of local white peach wine and the red Takin wine, both of which are sweeter wines. Don't forget to slurp creamylicious Bhutanese ice cream.

Bhutan's national dish: red chilies with cheese.

Bhutanese vegetarian momos with cheese.

Adding a unique twist to fried chicken with cornflakes. So crunchy and tasty with chili salad.

What's the highlight of my trip?
If you ask my compatriots, they will say that the hike to the Tiger's Nest is the best experience in Bhutan. We definitely ticked that hike off of our bucket list.

For me though, the highlight of my 5-day trip is a traditional farm-to-table dining, sitting on a bed of foam cross-legged without a table at a Bhutanese home. We were fed with authentic Bhutanese dishes and bottomless (!!!) ara aka rice wine after an hourlong hot stone bath. Together with genuine conversations and laughter with our hosts and tour guide, this made my trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan most memorable. Sometimes all the goodness in life comes in a simple, no-frills package.

This is as simple as it can get. Cheers to ara wine!

Is Bhutan safe?
Yes! Never in my traveling escapades have I felt that no one was trying to rip me off as a tourist.

Lastly, how's the internet connection?
Plan to unwind while in Bhutan. Although I was able to check some emails, it came with some heartache to reply or post on social channels. Hence, this country is not for digital nomads.

To contact Thinley Dorji of Bhutan Travel Routers, simply email btravelrouters@gmail.com or call/Whatsapp at +975 17814514. Don't forget to tell him that I sent you :)

View this post on Instagram

New IG vlog! Welcome to the Kingdom of Bhutan. Learn more on 👉 bit.ly/bhutantravel. In collaboration with @bhutan_travelrouters and special participation @sheikhateta and @stevenverbelen. Trying to adhere to the 1 minute video limit on IG instead of long-winded videos like on Youtube. #visitBhutan

A post shared by Gastronomic MisAdventures (@c3lsius) on Dec 5, 2017 at 11:33pm PST

Disclaimer: As part of my collaboration with Bhutan Travel Routers, I was provided a media rate for my 5-day tour in Bhutan.