The Girl in the Green Dress

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Random Sydney Memories!

The place was lovely. The company I was with was a crazy bunch!

Sydney

Last November 2010, I was able to see Sydney! All expense paid trip baby! Some of the perks of my job! ;) Thank you Thank you! I honestly think I can live there. It’s a laid back City. I can walk endlessly without getting an asthma attack (since pollution in Manila is pretty bad). I can ride a bus in my bikini and board shorts and after 30 minutes voila, I’m in paradise! Offices, Shops and Malls close pretty early, 5 or 6 PM? So does that mean….. NO OVERTIME in SYD? Do I hear a YES?!! I can definitely live in a stress free city like that. Best part, I don’t have to learn another language. Hehe!

Don’t get me wrong. I love Manila and it’s my home :)

Some of my Oz snapshots. Enjoy!

We had a Magistic (Parang Barok lang noh?) Cruise Buffet Lunch right after we landed in SYD. We had an amazing view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Australian Fashion — you can spot fashionistas walking the streets and at the same time the laid-back typical Australian. They do walk barefoot in their sweaters! barefoot (especially the ones near the beaches).

What would your Australia Trip be without seeing those cute little Koalas? And FYI, they are not “Koala Bears” Haha!

Australians. They’re an interesting bunch! That Surfer Boy’s Sunnies are quite the catch!

I also ove the fact that you can sit down almost anywhere and enjoy a good book.

The Darling Harbor. Such a Darling Sight!

The City Lights in Darling Harbor were pretty awesome! While watching a street show, I was asked to do a small role - “Stunt Girl”. What did I do? Parade around with my sash and pogo stick as if I were a “Round 1” Girl in a boxing match! I don’t know why I did it, but it was quite memorable!

I really could live in Australia! One bus or ferry away, you’d be in the beach already! We were able to go to Bondi and Manly Beach. I love that they take care of this beautiful privilege.

Random Places we visited. Apparently they call our Burger King “Hungry Jacks”

This Red Mailbox was a pretty accent in the streets of Sydney. I wish we had these in Manila.

Maybe next time I visit, I can stay longer?

Good Day Mate!

Sonya’s Garden Treat

I’ve been seeing photos of Sonya’s Garden in Facebook and Multiply since I was in college! - -Date photos, Family gatherings, Wedding Receptions etc. I’ve never tried to go to the Restaurant, but I did hear they serve delicious and healthy food.

Last January, I finally got the chance to taste and see it for myself :)

The ride there from Pasig was quite long (or maybe it was too long for me since I was uber hungry that time! Haha!), but when we finally got there, I felt a certain kind of peace. I’d hear some “province-like sound”. Maybe the wasps or the insects? I’m really not too sure! There were a lot of trees, flowers and plants. I’d hear the leaves falling down. The place was a big beautiful garden (but hey, at least it’s not a secret!). It was a quiet and heartwarming place. It’s perfect for intimate family gatherings and romantic dates. A wonderful getaway from the City!

I was able to get reservations the week before but you cant just actually walk in.

Green Salad Greens (create your own salad of:)

Freshly harvested lettuce and arugula topped with mango, broad beans, eggs, cucumber, jackfruit, pineapple, edible flowers in season, etc., drizzled with Sonya’s Secret Dressing or Balsamic Vinegar/extra virgin olive oil.

Bread

Fresh baked whole wheat sesame bread with an array of homemade dips and toppings: basil pesto, white cheese, anchovies, bruschetta tomato toppings. mushroom pate, black olive tapinade and fresh green peppercorn in olive oil.

Pasta

With two kinds of sauces and toppings: sun dried tomato and chicken cream with mango. Topped with ratatouille, salmon belly, shitake mushrooms, black olives, capers and grated parmesan cheese, pepperoncini.

Drinks

Bottomless freshly squeezed dalandan juice (green mandarin) and tarragon tea

Service was excellent :) Our Php 610 per person Eat All You can set was worth it!

It actually took us 3 hours to eat! Hence, lack of photos of the place outside during the day.

I requested for a birthday candle, and they gave me one!

Since it was early January when we went, there were still pretty Christmas Decors and Lights in the evening.

A lovely part of this Tagaytay Trip was the overflowing happiness I felt that day. Little things do count. I still remember the excitement I felt when I finally bit through that warm piece of gourmet bread, the x number of times I’d go to the bathroom just to make sure I’d still look human (cuz of all the eating I did :p), the time I felt chilly and felt the Tagaytay Breeze! I didn’t mind the cold weather at all! :)

I recall stopping the car somewhere on the way back to Manila since we saw fireworks. They were a pretty sight. It was a definitely a day I didn’t want to end.