Up close and personal with the wildlife.

After six long years, I was finally able to revisit the Philippines. I want to say that coming back felt like a dream, but the truth is it felt more like a punch of hot, humid air. I am not proud to say I had acclimatized to the temperature in the North-western hemisphere so that every second outside of an air-conditioned room in the country felt like the entrance to hell. I thought planning outdoor activities such as going on zoos and safaris in Vigan City (especially during the summer) was a huge mistake. Thank goodness staying at the Safari Hotels and Villas offered us the reprieve and relaxation we needed from the heat in between outings.  

A street-scape replication of 1958 Tokyo.

If anyone were to ask me if there is one Japanese food I could eat every day without fail, I'd probably struggle to respond. After all, Japanese is one of my favourite cuisines in the world and there's no way anyone could favour just one among the likes of pork katsu curry, oyakodon, okonomiyaki, sushi, and karaage. My closest answer, however, would have to be ramen. I will forever be grateful to instant noodles for being a part of my childhood and for saving my life during my college years. While they are still a staple in my pantry to this day, actually tasting the genuine article made me realize that there is more to ramen beyond a cup or a pouch.