Destinations
A Thai experience in Cagayan de Oro City
If you’re looking for a COMPLETE Thai experience while in Cagayan de Oro City, Thai Me Up is definitely going to disappoint you. The place has numerous limitations that could greatly affect the overall experience while there. However, if you want to lower your expectations, this place isn’t at all bad. As such, at least for people who like (if not love) everything Thai, this is a good attempt, even if they ought to do better, definitely…
Among Asian food, Thai cuisine is definitely one of the most popular. Those who aren’t familiar with the offerings of Thailand may wonder why; but, let’s be honest here, Thai food is, in a word, DELISH (!).
It is, therefore, a welcome surprise seeing a Thai resto in the middle of Cagayan de Oro City – a place in Northern Mindanao that may not be THAT cosmopolitan (yet), but is at least adventurous gustatory-wise.
And so welcome to Thai Me Up.
WHAT’S THERE
The resto actually shares the same space as Fil Me Up. That is, there are actually two areas within the venue – i.e. Thai Me Up, the Thai resto that’s “inside” the building (it’s a giant room in the building); and the Fil Me Up, the Filipino resto that occupies the main hall/dining area of the building, as well as the courtyard.
Talking of the “spaces”, though, I actually prefer Fil Me Up’s. This is because Thai Me Up is actually… plain – you just have wooden tables inside a room that has Buddha statues and, for wallpaper, giant pics of Thailand hostpots. Fil Me Up, on the other hand, has more character – thanks to the antique collection that can be found everywhere, e.g. a kalesa (carriage) in the courtyard, old plaka (vinyl records) placed under glass tabletops, discontinued Singer sewing machines, vintage Coca-Cola glasses, et cetera.
As the photos show, I prefer staying at Fil Me Up because of the place’s overall “feel”…
Fortunately, because Thai Me Up and Fil Me Up are literally under one roof, you can order from the menus of either.
WHY GO THERE
Now, why at least drop by Thai Me Up? First, the place is… cool. Downtown in Cagayan de Oro City, there are numerous karinderyas (small eateries) and fastfood joints (think Jollibee). Now, if you are after a more “formal” place, include this one in your list.
It helps that, second, the place is very, VERY accessible. It is located downtown, and you don’t even need to grab a cab to get there (when you’re downtown) – the jeepneys pass through the road where it’s located, and, better yet, you can just take a leisurely walk downtown, and then find Thai Me Up while you do so.
Third, there’s the food. I wouldn’t say they have the Thai cooking perfected (heck, you can’t beat grabbing chow from street vendors in Bangkok!); but they have… close to what Thai food may taste like (if given that Filipino sweet-ish twist). The Fresh Spring Rolls is more akin to local lumpia, for instance, but… we’re in CDO, so I suppose I have to be more forgiving. The Chicken Pad Thai Noodle is sweet-ish, too, even after you’ve added lots of chili flakes already. Others tried included the Sticky Rice with Mango (at least akin to what was tasted in visits to Phuket) and Spicy Pork Salad (this one suffices…).
WHY AVOID
Now, I don’t think you can perfectly mimic Thai cooking outside of Thailand – i.e. to achieve this, you’d need the right ingredients, the right chef (if not cook), et cetera, et cetera. I don’t think Thai Me Up has all of these “elements”; as such, what the place has are somewhat weak versions of Thai delicacies. Now, if you’re not THAT picky, this place isn’t all that bad. But if you are, then head elsewhere…
The offerings can be pricy, too (particularly since it’s ‘just’ Cagayan de Oro City). Paying P145 for spring rolls isn’t “normal” for everyone.
And the place – no matter how cutesy it may be – can be problematic, e.g. it was raining the first time I visited, and the entire Fil Me Up area had to be evacuated because the area got flooded. And don’t get me started at the outdoor hubs at the courtyard…
IN THE END
Now, if you’re looking for a COMPLETE Thai experience while in Cagayan de Oro City, Thai Me Up is definitely going to disappoint you. The (abovementioned) limitations are numerous, and could greatly affect the overall experience while there.
However, if you want to lower your expectations, this place isn’t at all bad (even if I’d have to say that no one should lower their expectations, particularly when you’re paying good money…).
In the end, at least for people who like (if not love) everything Thai, this is a good attempt. They ought to do better, definitely; but that there’s this choice now ought to count for something…
Thai Me Up is located along Capistrano St., Cagayan de Oro City. For more information, contact (08822) 738424 or (+63) 0917 710 2336.
Destinations
Going Chinese in Pulilan, Bulacan
Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan, and we’re on the fence here (yes if no choice, no if you can go elsewhere).
We happened to be in Pulilan in Bulacan, and I had pancit craving. As if on cue, we passed by Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan, which – after we Google-checked – is supposedly one of the more frequently-visited Chinese restos in these parts of the province, so… of course we checked.
@outragemag Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, this place is really, REALLY easy to find. Located along the Pulilan Regional Road in Barangay Cut-cot in Pulilan, this is right in the middle of the municipality.
Ikalawa, the resto is actually divided into three parts: one side is for those with reservations, another part is for walk-in diners, and another part is for events. If/when the resto isn’t full, only the main part (middle one) is kept open.
No, this isn’t some fancy resto. More like an airconditioned karinderya, complete with wooden tables and plastic chairs. Look-wise, it wasn’t dirty naman when we were there, so that’s a plus.
Ikatlo, the workers were friendly naman… and they moved fast – e.g. while waiting for our orders, we were given must-check peanuts, and since we finished what we got fast, our waitress was more than happy to accommodate us.
Ika-apat, now… how was the food?
The house specialty, the Lee Foo Chicken (₱265 for half, ₱495 for whole), looked like fried chicken with ketchup. Okay… the breading was okay since it didn’t overpower the meat. The chicken, too, was properly cooked, and it wasn’t dry. But it was tasteless overall; so the ketchup taste is what stays with you.
The Pancit Canton Bihon (₱255) had thin pancit noodles, almost as thin as the bihon. It didn’t have lots of sahog; instead, you’d notice the extenders (like kikiam, and so on). I like good pancit, I swear… but this isn’t one of them, sorry.
The weirdly-wrapped Hakaw (₱155) was small, so it was bitin.
And then there’s the Siomai Steam (₱155), which was, in a word, weird. The size was good, similar to those ₱10 siomais. But the way this was prepared was weird for us – e.g. like the meat was overwatered, and having a hard time staying solid, so that it was smudgy, and disintegrated in the mouth even without chewing. I suppose that, at least, it wasn’t disgusting taste-wise.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is, we believe, popular. Like President in Chinatown, or a branch of David’s in some mall. To each his or her own nga naman. But for us, we’re off to look for other Chinese restos na muna as we head out in search of more lafangan venues.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is located at 159 Barangay Cut-cot, Pulilan, 3005 Bulacan Province. For more information, contact 0925 800 0168, or email leefoopanciteria@yahoo.com.
Travel
Treacherous beauty: Hiking at South Stack Lighthouse in Wales
#Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales.
Yes, tech has made many lighthouses redundant. Not that they’re no longer relevant. But navigation-wise, we know we have more advanced solutions. Which, perhaps not surprisingly, led to the reconfiguration of many of them.
In Holyhead, Anglesey in Wales, introducing the South Stack Lighthouse.
@outragemag #Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, you’d need a ride to be there. Some use private cars, as we did; others join tours; and others cycle to the place.
Ikalawa, what’s there?
The lighthouse itself is located on a small, rocky island off Holyhead. From afar, it looks like someone’s grand home; mansion-like. Accessible siya after you descend down 400 steep steps.
What will you see while there?
- the former lighthouse engine room
- the top of the lighthouse
- South Stack is also home to breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins
Here’s an FYI: seasonal lang siya bukas.
This is a must-check for lighthouse lovers, of course. Historic, it was built in 1809 by Trinity House from the design of Daniel Alexander. 91-foot tall, it used to allow safe passage for ships on the Dublin–Holyhead–Liverpool sea route.
Another FYI: It is allegedly haunted, and has been visited by a team from “Most Haunted”.
The area housing the lighthouse is, itself, worth checking. There are trails for hikers or joggers or cyclists; though the same could be enjoyed by those who are there only to look for good shots.
Check when you’re in the area… even if you just pass by. Nice siya, promise.
But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…
Travel
Enjoying nature via trail hiking in Wales
Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales.
When in Bangor, you’d be told often that among the best things to do is to hike. And among the must-check is the Snowdonia Slate Trail, which links the old slate-quarrying communities of Eryri/Snowdonia.
So… ayan na nga, even without the right outfit for hiking, but ayaw ma-miss ang chance to check the area, off we went.
@outragemag Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, the circular route starts near Bangor/Porth Penrhyn. And you need a car or whatever to get to the starting point.
Ikalawa, the trail isn’t just for hiking. It’s also for biking or walking dogs. So you’d be sharing the 133-kilometer long trail with others.
Ikatlo, what’s there?
Mountains built by remnants from quarry sites, to start.
So… Gwynedd used to be known for slate quarrying, and among the biggest players is Penrhyn Quarry which is near Gwynedd, part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Now… with slate quarrying, around 75% of extracted material are inferior in quality, called overburden, and so becoming mineral waste. Here, they’re now mountains.
But the trail also shows views typically associated with Wales – e.g. rolling hills that go on forever, rock fences, sheep farms, canals with flowing water… and more.
Usually, sa matatag, people hike the Snowdonia Slate Trail for up to seven days, passing through Bethesda, Llanberis, and so on. But for others… it’s but an opportunity to commune with nature, in a way, while taking those must-have shots.
But we’re off for more LGBTQIA+ discoveries…
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