Selecta's Matcha Cookies and Cream Ice Cream (Christmas Collection)

By Tin Gallemaso - 1:00:00 PM

Selecta Christmas Collection Matcha Ice Cream

Wala na bang ila-labo 'tong picture ko?? :)))

I have no idea how long has this been out in the market but here's my most recent matcha discovery: Selecta's Christmas Collection in Matcha Cookies and Cream variant.

I was craving for a matcha mcflurry for some days now but I was told that it's no longer offered in stores. Disappointed, I browsed through the ice cream freezers in a grocery near me (which I rarely do, btw) and my heart jumped with joy and excitement when I saw this 1.3 L ice cream container which was priced under P 300.00!!!

I wasn't expecting a lot from this though but since I like Selecta's Cookies and Cream variant too, it got easier to decide. I just hoped that the matcha won't taste like Jasmine 'cause that would definitely something I won't be able to eat.

My verdict?

I LIKED IT!

It's a lot like Mcdonald's Mcflurry, only this isn't a soft served. The ice cream has a faint matcha taste but the matcha syrup and the big chunks of oreos made up for it. You would taste the PLEASANT slight bitterness whenever you're melting the matcha chocolate/matcha syrup in your mouth.

Most of all, I loved that it doesn't taste like flowers.

Baked a red velvet cupcake and made my own cupcake a la mode topped almond sliced and chocolate syrup. Never craved for another matcha mcflurry after this.

I was hoping for it to last around a week but we finished it within three days of CONTROLLED EATING. lol. :)))) K. That's it. I'm just happy that it's readily available to me heheehe

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Fukuoka

Japan 2019: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Fukuoka

By Tin Gallemaso - 1:00:00 PM

We went straight to Dazaifu after a morning til noon touring in Nagasaki. There wasn't a straight JR train going to the temple so we had to transfer line in Murasaki going to Dazaifu station.

How to Claim and Use JR Pass in Fukuoka, Japan link: here.

Trains and buses in Japan seemed complicated at first but you'll get a hang of it. There are a lot of train routes coming from all directions that it gets confusing especially coming from a place where there are only three train routes ~~so far~~. Looking forward to a better transportation system in Manila!!!

Outside the train station, you'll be passing through this alley with lots of souvenir and snack shops. There's also one distinct Starbucks branch that can be found here.

Woodworks of Starbucks Dazaifu link: here.

Before reaching the shrine, you'll first pass through a pond/ garden which was very relaxing to walk around in. There were a lot of people in the shrine but I barely noticed that while walking in the park. I read somewhere that passing through the bridge (over the lake) is a process of purifying your soul and body before going near the shrine/ meeting the deity of the shrine.

There were a lot of plum trees in this area but they still haven't bloomed.

Approaching the shrine.

It's a huge place but it's very easy to find the shrine; just follow the crowd and you'll get there in no time.

Again, rinse your mouth and wash your hands before going near the Shrine.

We haven't seen any cherry blossom yet when we toured around Dazaifu so seeing plum blossoms was enough to excite us. haha!

The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane who is known as the god of learning. One of the reasons why this is always busy is because students visit here to pray for the success in their studies.

We also got one of these but google translate was of no help so we left ours in the shrine without understanding what was written.

There was one shrine in Hakata Old City though that has English Omikuji/ Fortune Paper. You are supposed to leave the paper tied at the shrine if you got a bad luck but I was able to take home mine since it said that I am lucky - it has been in my wallet since then.

Make sure to go around the shrine and look at the century old trees. There are 167 varieties of plum blossoms in the whole shrine which is about 6,000 trees. With that much trees, magine going there during the peak of the plum blossom season.

We could count the trees that has flowers that time but here's more plum blossom. <3

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Fukuoka

Japan 2019: Woodworks of Starbucks Dazaifu in Fukuoka

By Tin Gallemaso - 1:00:00 PM

I've been to several Starbucks cafe before but this branch in Dazaifu, Fukuoka, Japan has the most interesting and unique interior design. As you can see in the picture above, there are cedar woods design outside and inside the cafe.

This alley has a lot of souvenir and snack shops but this Starbucks is very easy to spot on the way to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine from the train station.

Hoping to go to the Tokyo Starbucks next year.

The place isn't huge so expect that there's always a wait for tables. We went inside to see if there are vacant seats but since there were none, we went out again and proceeded to explore the temple first. (Dazaifu Tenmangu Shine would be posted separately)

After walking around the shrine, we decided to go back to Starbucks and no customers were occupying the seats outside. A bit shy lang 'cause people keep taking photos of the store with us in the frame. Haha.

Often, I'd pretend to think of what I'd want to drink but then would settle with my default Starbucks drink almost everytime. I even ask them to add more scoops of matcha powder 'cause I prefer it strong.

Tasting matcha in Japan has made me more picky, I swear. I don't drink nor eat matcha that much anymore since I often get disappointed now. Sayang pera. lol

Mawawala ba naman ang photoops sa Starbucks. hahaha. At least, hindi selfie, noh. :)))

I don't drink coffee still but Starbucks has become one my go-to places for a matcha fix - it has been like that for almost ten years now.

Plus more photo-ops since there were less people that time.

We took our time with our drinks and photo-ops only to realize that stores close very early - only SB was left open and it wasn't even 6 PM.

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Hotel

Staycation: City Garden GRAND Hotel, Makati

By Tin Gallemaso - 1:00:00 PM

GRAND has to be capitalized for this post because there's another hotel named City Garden Hotel in the vicinity. We were a bit confused with that at first but yeah, we double checked which one has the rooftop bar and it's - City Garden GRAND.

We arrived late for check-in but for some reasons, the room was still not ready when we got there so we ended up waiting for another two hours at the lobby.

Above are photos from the room.

The room was huge, comfortable and clean so we had no problems with it and somehow, our negative impression with the hotel because of the long wait was appeased. My favorite thing, from the entire room, is the city view.

There's something about staying in Makati without worrying about the traffic in EDSA when going back home to QC. :))))) Sobrang bihira ko na mapunta doon ngayon kasi sobrang malala rin 'yung traffic. AHAHA.

That afternoon, it rained hard and we couldn't go out so we just swam at the rooftop pool. We were only the ones swimming that time which is a good thing 'cause it's not too big and it can get definitely get crowded on some days. The rain got harder and harder so we decided to sit for a bit in the Firefly Roofdeck Bar while waiting for the rain to stop.

This is the Firefly Roofdeck Bar - the reason how we learned about City Garden GRAND Hotel 'cause it was once viral on Facebook because of the view. We thought of going there once for dinner but we decided to do a staycation instead.

Baguio??? More like bagyo. HAHAHA.

I've seen a lot of skylines from many different countries but Metro Manila is still one of my favorites.... kahit ang hirap mahalin ng Pilipinas on some days.... hahaha. Humugot pa eh.

Outdoor pool + Hot Tub

Truly is a beautiful view from the rooftop bar.

We waited for sunset before going back to the hotel. Afterwards, we went out to eat dinner. There were a lot of restaurant choices - this is in Poblacion, Makati afterall.

After dinner, we went back to the rooftop deck to just stay near the pool area and talk. Another thing that would need patience is the elevator during the "peak hours" of the restaurant because it would take a while before you're able to ride. Dalawa lang kasi ata 'yung elevator for the entire hotel and yet it has to service not only the people checked-in but also the people going up to the roof deck.

During this time, there were already a lot of guests at the bar but we didn't mind. Hehe. Maganda pa rin naman at hindi ganon kaingay.

The room rate we paid was breakfast inclusive.

The buffet spread was wide. There were a lot choices and it made our stay more "sulit" especially that staying in this hotel wasn't really that expensive to begin it felt like it still.

Overall, our experience was City Garden GRAND Hotel was great and bang for the buck. I just hope they improve their check-in process 'cause waiting in the lobby when you're supposed to be in the hotel room is kind of irritating... syempre kasama na sa bayad 'yung two hours na nawala sa amin. Hehehe.

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Quezon City

Karaoke Republic, Diliman, South Triangle Review

By Tin Gallemaso - 1:00:00 PM

While I sometimes went to Karaoke places before, it was only while I was living in Busan, South Korea did I get comfortable in singing. Comfortable ha, hindi magaling. I got comfortable in having a great time in a Karaoke place even if my singing voice is not that good- either para kong tumutula or para kong umiiyak. HAHAHAHA.

Kaya ayan.

Never thought that there will be a time in this lifetime when I'd have my go-to karaoke place. HAHAHA But here it is, Karaoke Republic in Timog is a place that we frequented in the past months.

I liked Karaoke Republic because of two main things - their location and price. It's easy to locate though parking might be hard on some nights. The prices of the food packages and beer buckets are reasonable as well - hindi nakakakaba especially on looooooong nights when we decide to just make our karaoke session open time with buckets of beer dahil maraming baket. lol I just hope that they give out disposable mic covers though.

Aside from the remote, they have that tablet on the wall where you can choose songs. Waiters are fast as too - one call then they'd be at the room in no time.

There are small windows on the door but still private.