After my trip to Davao in 2006, I had to fly to Baguio the very next day.  Since Asian Spirit was the only airline that flies to Baguio, I had no choice.  I wasn’t really too keen on flying via Asian Spirit because I’ve heard horrible stories from some friends.  Anyhow, instead of traveling the long way by land, I opted to go by air.

I cannot even begin to relive the experience of flying through mountains of Baguio and how fast and scary the landing was.  Anyway, I was still dazed from the flight that I didn’t notice that my luggage had a huge crack on it!  I only found out in the cab on the way to the hotel when I looked at my luggage (most cabs if not all, in Baguio, are FX so my luggage was at the back of the SUV).

Upon my return to Manila, I immediately checked if my warranty covers the case.  Unfortunately it doesn’t.  I wanted to buy a replicate but it was out of stock.  I was really sad.  A few days later, I found my luggage all taped up like it was new!  I think my dad taped it or had someone tape it so I can still use it.  And I have.  I’ve been to General Santos with that luggage.  But when I was prepping to use it for Ad Congress last year, I noticed it had a larger crack and a small part on the upper portion chipped off.  Not relenting, I taped the crack part on my own with some Beach Bum stickers.  It held up during the 4-day stay in Subic.

As I hauled the luggage out of the dark corner in my sister’s room, I noticed that it looked like it had Malaria or something.  It really looked downbeat.  I really love that luggage and couldn’t let go of it so I put more tapes and masked the cracks.  I brought it to Hong Kong.

When we arrived Hong Kong via PAL, the left upper portion had also come off.  I was beating myself up for not checking it in as FRAGILE.  Bubba kept shaking his head and nagged about how he has asked me to change my luggage throughout last year.  I know I know I should have listened.  But the penny-pincher in me won.

I flew back to Manila on my own because Bubba had to stay 2 more days with his family.  When I checked my luggage in, I specifically asked them to mark it FRAGILE.  The counter attendant was puzzled but she did follow instructions.  I wonder why she was bewildered as my luggage looked like it was going to faint any time soon.  While waiting for boarding, I surveyed the luggage they sell at the airport lounge.  I like Samsonite but they don’t have any flat surface interior and my OC-ness compels me to get one that has.

When they released my luggage, it was missing one wheel and the whole back part was totally damaged.  It took me quite a while to drag it from the release area to where my mom picked me up because it was making such a horrible screeching sound on the floor.  That incident really prompted me to buy a luggage the next chance I get the free time to go shopping, which was the following week.

I’ve visited Travel Club in Greenhills and Megamall.  Finally, I found just the perfect item.  Elle’s line of luggage and travel bags is very extensive.  I fell in love with three designs but only settled to buying one.  It burned a hole in my pocket since the luggage cost PHP 9,500.  Good thing I got a PHP500 discount

The one I bought looked like the long lost twin of my old mutilated luggage.  CW was against me buying another hard case but I just love hard cases –and having one in color pink didn’t hurt at all.  *Sheepish smile* 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/476/08_0616-_Random_Stuff  

Tucked in the lower ground of what used to be the biggest mall before the launch of Mall of Asia, Megamall hides this small Japanese casual restaurant. Bright colors greet you as the interior is livened by bold yellow and green colors –contrary to the lackluster respectful culture of Japan.

Spicy Seafood in Tomato Cream

I really like this pasta dish where the seafood is spiked with spice and the taste of creamy tomato is apparent. It was a bit dry though and could have used more cream sauce.

Katsudon Curry

Katsudon Curry is one of Bubba’s favorite quick Japanese orders. The Katsudon Curry is as average as any other Katsudon in other casual Japanese dining.

Gyoza

One of the favorite appetizers of Japanese cuisine, which actually originated in China as ordinarily known “dumpling.” Gyoza is the Japanese counterpart of the popularized Chinese dumpling, which usually is made of ground meat with vegetable bits wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough, steamed to a hot smooth pork wrap. It is normally eaten with a soy-vinegar dip garnished with sesame seeds.

The Gyoza in Bubble Tea is one of the best that I’ve tasted in the metro. It tasted fresh and perfectly slides right down your throat with that sweet salty taste of the dip. The dip could have been saltier for my taste.

The restaurant is something to still try out if you happen to be in SM Megamall, if not for their famous milkshake tea with bubbles. This is near the Ice Skating rink.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/316/07_1222-_Bubble_Tea