My first time here was years ago. I remember that when we went there, the place already shifted to a bar (we didn't know).
So in the morning, the cafe is open, then by 6pm, they open the bar.
I think we had black coffee alongside different test tubes in a rack, which I think were sugar syrup? To be honest, I felt that out of pity, they allowed us to order coffee even if the kitchen already shifted to bar menu ðĪĢ Thanks again! ☕
Anyway, went here last time to meet a close friend. I had a fun time ð I'd probably think that my friend works there too as he really knows everyone! ðĪĢ Thanks to the kind and funny baristas ð
Also, thanks for the free taste! I forgot what its called, but if ever you plan to visit Curator, do try their cocktail drinks too ðŊ
Curator was TAPped!
Taste: 4/5 Bikini sandwich tastes good that I should have ordered black coffee instead of trying my luck if I'll like the Shake-O-What-O.
As for the said drink - uhm, I still prefer the usual black coffee with milk ð
Ambiance 3/5 The place is small so don't bring too much friends especially as Manila is still under quarantine.
Price 4/5 Shake-O-What-O is a drink that is unique to this cafe, hence, give it a try!
Price ranges from 100 and up, since cocktail drinks tend to be more pricey.
A blessing that we were able to unwind prior the global lockdown due to Covid-19.
Our itinerary was based on the things and activities that we wanted to do in Taiwan and naturally, we all agreed to attend the lantern festival.
Sharing you the summary of our 'unforgettable' 2020 travel ðĪĢ
First Part
Arrived in Taipei and left our bags at the hotel before we walked around Ximending.
Prior that, while at the airport, we rented a wifi device before heading to Taipei (recommended!)
We availed a day tour via Klook and went to see the following places/attractions in:
Taichung:
Zhongshe Flower Mart
Flower lovers will definitely like this place. Everywhere we look, there's different types of flowers that I myself is not sure of the names or types (sorry, I am not a plant person but I appreciate these beauties).
Walk around the whole area and feast your eyes to the colorful flowers all at once ð
Rainbow Village
From colorful flowers to colorful houses!
To save the village from demolition, Huang Yung-Fu, now known as Rainbow Grandpa, painted houses in different colorful designs.
When we arrived, I first thought of how will it be if these houses were actually classrooms? Isn't it a joy to spend learning surrounded by colorful doodle arts and designs!
Gaomei Wetlands
After all places colorful - the tour ended at Gaomei, where the cold never bothered us anyway (lol).
The wetland was said to be famous for sunsets. t
In oir visit, the wind was really strong. I personally thanked my facemask, otherwise, I feel that my whole face will be numbed and maybe I'll develop blisters ðĪĢ
From afar, you'll also see the towering windmills! Anyway, the sunset was indeed nice but somehow it didn't pass my expectation since I've seen a lot of sunsets back home.
After the sunset, we boarded the tour bus and went back to the city.
Next stop: Keelung
Second Part
Keelung
We stayed in Keelung area to see Jiufen area and the lantern festival in Pingxi.
Keelung City is a port city near Taipei.
Keelung Night Market
A lot of food choices! It was a bit raining but we persisted ð
We like chicken chop and beef! We also had hakaw and more.
Xu, Zi-Sang Historical Home
The house looked creepy and it wasn't maintained, hence, visit or step inside the place at your own risk ð
Jiufen
Jiufen is a mountain town known as an old town. The view from above is wonderful!
I think we kinda got lost as the narrow alleyways looked the same.
We saw a lot of food, souvenirs, teashops and milktea ð
• Xing Fu Tang Brown sugar milktea tastes good!
• Amei Teahouse Known for their best quality teas! We weren't able to try their tea due to volume of guests and limited time.
Pingxi
Pingxi is a rural district in New Taipei.
Our fist stop was Shifen Waterfall, also know as 'Little Niagara of Taiwan.'
It was cold but we were very excited for the lantern festival. At around 6pm, we went to the area where we can watch the release of hundred lanterns at a time.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is a yearly festival where people gather to write their dreams and wishes for the year on the lanterns before releasing it to the sky.
We didn't do it since we need to register first and it might take so long for our turn to release the lanterns. Hence, after watching 3 to 5 sets of lanterns released above, we opted to go back home.
We passed by food stalls and tried some! We also went to Shifen Old Street to check the old railway and lantern shops.
We then head back to Keelung. We were so thankful since the organizers prepared free transportation for everyone. All you need to do is find the bus that stops in the area you will be going and wait for your turn to be seated.
A tiring day, plus the cold weather and rain, still, worth it!
Last Part
Taipei
After staying in Keelung for 2 nights, we went back to Taipei for a quick city tour and food trip before flying back to Manila.
For easy guidance and transport, we availed the bus tour and chose the places we wanted to visit.
Mengjia Longshan Temple A temple for Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian faiths (source: CultureTrip).
We stayed here for a bit and paid respect.
Taipei 101 World's tallest building from 2004 until 2010.
We just went to the garden area and didn't really avail an observatory ticket.
We ate at Din Tai Fung while checking the news about the possible lockdown due to Covid-19.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park It was a winery turned park (source: Undiscovered Taipei).
We strolled around the park before passing by a coffeeshop!
There were restaurants inside as well.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial A place built for Chiang Kai-Shek, who led Kuomintang (National Chinese Party) and transferred to Taiwan (source: BBC UK).
We weren't able to witness the changing of the guards but it's okay!
As usual, we ended the day with food ð
Comes midnight, I've received an email that our flight was cancelled and the option is to board the 2am flight ðŦ
Imagine our adrenaline rush at that time! It's either we extend our stay or we go for the 2am with only an hour or so to board the flight. We don't know how we managed to pull it off ðĪĢ
We didn't make it on time so we asked them nicely since.
Good thing they were kind enough to assist us. So yes, hello Manila in 2hrs and really, it was very tiring ðĪŠ
Fast forward to December, and here I am, very much excited to treat my hair!
Since I previously had my haircolor and treatment at Azta Urban Salon, I decided to return to them for just a haircut.
I arrived around past 10am, did the quarantine procedures before I sat and waited for my turn.
I was then asked what I wanted to do with my hair and told them that I wanted a trim and maybe treatment. They offer a 20% off for haircut and treatment and another 10% off if I avail another service such as haircolor.
In short, I availed the following services: haircut, keratin treatment and haircolor (touch up only).
Louie, the assigned hairstylist, was helpful (others were helpful too).
I left the salon past 2pm and very much satisfied with the result.
I had late lunch and walked around the mall to check if I need to buy anything.
No Brand - mostly sell Korean products such as noodles, snacks, ice cream and a lot more!
We waited for almost 2months just for this dinner! We booked the 6pm slot but waited more than an hour to eat (there were a lot of guests).
Taste - 4/5 Food were okay - we ordered shrimp pasta, sandwich and sisig.
For coffee, I had butterscotch which was so sweet. I can't even tell if there's really coffee, hence, I'm giving it a 3/5 rating while my friend wasn't satisfied with her matcha drink too.
Ambiance - 3.5/5 I find the place so crowded that I can hear the other table's topics as well.
However, the Manila Cathedral as backdrop or 'view' at night, gave off a solemn vibe, with bell chiming from time to time. The lights too was relaxing and we felt sleepy ð
Price - 3.5/5 The ambiance is one of the things that you paid for and the food prices were reasonable.
Due to pandemic, the cafes implements the following guidelines before you're allowed to order:
1. Sanitize your hand 2. Fill out the contact tracing form via online or paper 3. A staff will scan your body temperature
Physical distancing is also implemented, making the cafe less crowded than usual. I actually like it better than before since I find the situation conducive for thinking alone or 'Me' time.
TIM HORTONS (Makati)
I'm out for an errand and it was too hot outside, so I ordered an iced latte with sandwich and fries.
This is the very 1st time that I had coffee outside home while the city is still in quarantine status (GCQ).
FRENCH BAKER (SM North)
It took a bit of time to find a place for a quick snack and coffee. Back then, few cafes are open for dine-in.
Not happy with the danish bread.
COFFEE BEAN and TEA LEAF (SM North)
Usual order: Hot Double Chocolate Latte
It was a good thing that we came around 3pm since seats were limited due to the implemented physical distancing.
BO'S COFFEE (SM North)
A local coffeeshop, originated from Cebu, uses homegrown coffee.
Usual order: Hot Latte
We also ordered a slice each of cheesecake and carrotcake.
STARBUCKS (Trinoma)
A famous international coffeechain with a lot of branches all over the Philippines.
Usual order: White Mocha Americano (thanks to my friend for introducing this to me) and Soy Latte (I had tried it first during 1 of my travels)
My order at that time: Pumpkin Spiced Latte
It tasted like real pumpkin with coffee and had an aftertaste. It was very sweet.
I've also added two milktea shops for your reference.
TIGER SUGAR (Glorietta)
I ordered brown sugar boba just to satisfy my craving for milktea.
Our first 'commercialized' milktea while the city is still in quarantine (MGCQ).
COCO (Glorietta)
Once in a while I crave for milktea, so at that time, I bought one from Coco.
I got 1 order of 2 ladies, zero % sugar.
ALSO -
Have you tried cola with caffeine? I bought this at a supermarket, with hopes that it tasted good.
