Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Life begins where WIFI is weak
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The Paguriran Island Beach Resort

Here is the view from Paguriran Island on to the mainland at high tide. The distance over to the mainland is only a couple of hundred meters and you can easily wade here even in high tide. The small huts among the palm trees is Paguriran Island Beach Resort, a perfect getaway for picnics and some relaxing at the beach with white sand. This beautiful place should be on your bucket list if you are visiting Sorsogon. Just take a 20-30 minutes ride from the city center with a tricycle. 
View from Paguriran Island, Sorsogon, Philippines

View from Paguriran Island at high tide

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Good location

You have two branches of Buzzz Café in Tagbilaran. One is located in the ground floor of Luisa Galleria. Maybe this one is the most accessible of the two due to it's central location near the city square. The other one is located in Island City Mall (ICM) which is 5 min away from city square by tricycle. This review is mainly about the branch located in Luisa Galleria which also is the bigger one and have more tables available.

Locally produced with organic farming

From inside of the restaurant you have a beautiful view over the strait between Bohol and Panglao. Free WiFi is available and AC is functioning very well (read: it's not too cold inside). The unique with The Buzzz Café is that everything they sell here is locally produced with organic farming. They also have a shop here where you can buy fresh bread, pastries, honey etc.

​Healthy and delicious! 

The food is a mix of Western and Filipino style. Soups, salads, sandwiches, ribs, fish, chicken, pizzas and pasta. Vegetarian alternatives are also available. Everything is cooked with their style, unique for The Buzzz Café. Some dishes come with fresh salad and newly baked bread with delicious spreads. The have also a good selection of tea and coffee. The conclusion is clear, healthy and delicious food to reasonable prices.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food 
5 Service
5 Value
5 Atmosphere
I have been here many times the past years.

The Buzzz Café
Ground Floor, Galleria Luisa, Galleries St. Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 502 2288
Complimentary to every meal. Fresh bread with honey and pesto spread.
Fresh bread with pesto spread
Look at this! It's like an artwork for your soul.
Ribs
Ribs, fresh salad and red rice
Caffe latte with a carrot muffin
Grilled squid
Different kinds of honey for sale
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Don't let the first impression let you down

The whole place looks a little bit shabby from the outside. But don't let the first impression let you down. The Golden Cowrie virtually stands alone surrounded by a parking lot, which means there are always free parking space available. When you enter the restaurant all the shabbiness vanish away. It's nice and clean and you are greeted by staff. The food is Filipino style and you have many dishes to choose between and the prices are very reasonable. The only downside is when the restaurant is full of guests, which it often is the sound level tends to be high probably because of the acoustics is not that good.

A little bit unlucky this time

The food shown in one of the pics was Kangkong, a common vegetable dish consists of green leaves mixed with garlic and spices. Bicol Express which is pork with coconut milk, chili and shrimp paste. The Kangkong was delicious but the pork in the Bicol Express consisted almost only of chops of pure fat. When I told the staff about it they replaced it with pork chops which was to my satisfaction. I felt I was a little bit unlucky with my Bicol Express because I have been here several times before and usually the food have been very good.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Food 
4 Service
5 Value
3 Atmosphere
I was here several times in December 2015.

Golden Cowrie Restaurant
0068 Venancio P. Inting Ave, Tagbilaran City, 6300 Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 1323
Golden Cowrie Restaurant
Kangkong (green leaves vegetable), Bicol Express and rice
Pork chops
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​Good priced hotel in Imus, Cavite

Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens is located around 21 km south of Manila in Imus, Cavite. The area of Imus is surprisingly green as long as you stay away from the R-2 highway. Since this is not really a tourist spot you will probably not end up here unless you have a reason to visit this particular area. 
Nevertheless Casa Verde is good priced hotel, quiet surroundings with breakfast included. WiFi and AC was functioning perfect. The room was very fresh and clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. Only 5 min from Casa Verde with tricycle, you reach the R-2 highway where you have plenty of public buses going back and forth to Manila or Dasmariñas.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
3 Location
5 Sleep Quality
5 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here February 2016

Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens
254 Bayan Luma III, Cavite, 4103 Imus, Philippines
Phone: +63 917 715 0661
Reviews of hotels in Imus, Cavite, Philippines Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Breakfast © LordProduction

Double breakfast was included in the double room

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​New affordable place in Tagbilaran

When I discovered this little hotel it was almost newly opened. Everything was new and fresh. It's located just a 3-5 min from the airport and 10-15 from Tagbilaran City with tricycle. The AC was not the modern silent type but still it was working reasonable well since the unit was brand new. WiFi was only available in the lobby. A simple but still good breakfast was included in the price. It's not a fancy place but still good and definitely worth the money.  

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
3 Location
4 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
4 Cleanliness 
I stayed here December 2015

Staylite Park Bed and Breakfast
136 Pamaong Extension Street, Cogon District, Tagbilaran City 6300, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 422 8073
Review of Staylite Park Bed and Breakfast, Philippines, Tagbilaran, My room © LordProduction

My room at Staylite Park B&B

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​Good value for the money

Arabelle Suites is located 5 min with tricycle from Tagbilaran airport and 8-10 min from Tagbilaran city. Big and clean rooms with modern AC which is both silent and easy to adjust the temperature with. Breakfast is included in the little restaurant inside the hotel. You can choose between Filipino and Western style breakfasts. They also have a pool where you can take your swim. Lately when I tried to get a room there they always been fully booked so obviously you should book in advance. The staff is very helpful and friendly although it can be some waiting time in the restaurant for the breakfast. At those occasions there have been trainees working there so at the same time it is understandable. The free WiFi was only available in the common areas.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Location
5 Sleep Quality
5 Rooms
3 Service
5 Value for the money
4 Cleanliness 
I stayed here 2014

Arabelle Suites
New Calceta Street, Upper Cogon, Tagbilaran City, 6300 Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 0607
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Willing to make it right!

I have passed by this restaurant many times when I have been in Mall of Asia looking for something to eat. It looks nothing special from the outside. But then finally I thought I would give the place a try! 
Chili's offers a little bit of the usual stuff for this category of restaurants. Tex Mex, ribs, chicken, seafood, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, salads etc. They also offer lunch combos. Actually it took me a while for deciding what to take. Many of the dishes in the menu looked very delicious. I finally decided to go for the Monterey Chicken. Grilled chicken breast topped with BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, cheese, diced tomatoes and green onions. Served with mashed potatoes and steamed fresh veggies. The waitress asked me if I wanted fried mushrooms together as a side dish. I really got the impression from her that the mushrooms were complimentary. So I didn't distinctively ask for the price, which of course I should have done.
The food was quickly on the table and the portion was huge and delicious. The price for the Monterey Chicken was 485 PHP. When I got the bill they had charged me additionally 220 PHP for the mushrooms. The portion of the mushrooms had been very small.  So I felt disappointed of the expensive price and the way the waitress had handled her upselling. 
So I asked for the supervisor and explained the situation. To my surprise she was very understanding and immediately offered me a compensation free of choice. So I ordered The Deep Fried Cheesecake as a dessert for 350 PHP. From the feeling of disappointment to satisfaction I become a very full satisfied customer.
​They also had a strong and fast WiFi net and clean and fresh comfort rooms. 

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food 
4 Service
3 Value
4 Atmosphere
I was here February 2016.

Chili's Restaurant
SM Mall of Asia, South Wing, Ground Floor, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: 835 9663

Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
Chili's restaurant in Mall of Asia, Manila Monterey chicken as it looked in the menu Monterey Chicken and my mushroom side dish on top Deep fried cheesecake with ice cream Related links: UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila​ Where to eat the fiery style in Manila? Visit Intramuros in Manila​ Manila American Cemetery & Memorial​ Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery​ Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park​
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An American in Manila, Burgoo Restaurant

Burgoo is conveniently located in the south wing of Mall of Asia. The serving staff are nice and service minded. They introduce themselves and ask for your name. In case you forget the name of your waitress they write their name on the paper tablecloth. The menu consists not only of hamburgers, they have other dishes as well, Tex Mex, pizzas, pasta, seafood, steaks and ribs.

Bacon Cheeseburger and Seafood Jambalaya Supreme

​First time I was there, I ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger. Charbroiled Angus beef patty, grilled and topped with cheese and golden crispy bacon.  It was served with U.S. fries flavored with sour cream and onions. The serving was generous and the burger was delicious.  The second visit I went for Seafood Jambalaya Supreme. It was a huge serving of mussels, calamari and shrimps with ham, chorizo, green peas, green bell pepper, white onions, cajun spices in long grain rice and topped with deep fried chicken. The food was tasty but I preferred the burger instead of the Jambalaya.

Conclusion

They have free WiFi which was functioning to my satisfaction. The serving went smooth and nicely without any hustle and waiting. If you are looking for some burgers the American style I can recommend this place!
​
​Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Food 
5 Service
3 Value
4 Atmosphere
I was here May 2015 and February 2016.

Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant
SM Mall of Asia, Bay Blvd. Brgy. 76, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia, Manila

Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant (Manila, Philippines)

Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia, Manila

Today my waitress was Joy

Bacon Cheeseburger at Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia, Manila

Bacon Cheeseburger

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Disappointed!

I was here two times. First time I wanted coffee. But they only had 3 in 1 and that's a shame to call that coffee. Bleehhh!!
I gave the place a second chance a couple of days later. I went there for lunch. I ordered grilled fish. What I got was a small deep fried fish, not grilled. Immediately I was surrounded by thousands flies, they probability came from the beach which is very close to where I was sitting. The taste was ok but nothing really special. 
Amore Cafe is apart from above a nice place, good location, nice building, it's  almost a little bit like a museum with lot's of stuff to look at both inside and outside the building. With real coffee and better food this could be a really good place to visit.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
2 Food 
3 Service
2 Value
5 Atmosphere
I was here February 2016.

Amore Cafe
Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Dermagu Baru, Karimun Jawa, Indonesia
Reviews of restaurants in Indonesia, Cafe Amore, cats

Those cats were patiently waiting for the leftovers of the fish meal

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​Amazing place overlooking everything!

CocoHuts Inn has a good location, only 5 min with motorcycle from the pier. The place has the most wonderful view from the resto and some of the cottages. The breakfast was complimentary. Four options available: Fried rice, noodles, pancakes or toast. Tea or coffee and fruits were included. But beware! If you order coffee you will end up with 3 in 1, which is coffee, creamer and sugar mixed with boiling water. If you like that you will be fine. But for me who want black coffee with fresh milk the 3 in 1 is undrinkable.
The room was clean and the staff was very helpful with everything. The AC was the modern silent type. WiFi was only available in the resto and only available when the electricity was on. The electricity was only available in the afternoon and at night time. There was a TV but with no TV-signal, so they provided DVD:s to play in the DVD player instead. There were some interruptions of the power and water. But hey! This is a remote island far out in the Jawa sea after all. If you can't cope with this, then you might consider going to Bali instead.

Wonderful barbecued fresh fish

In the evenings and depending on the catch of the day, they served wonderful barbecued fresh fish in the resto. The environment which is surrounding the CocoHuts Inn and the view from the resto was really something you could die for. So if you ever will come to Karimun, then I recommend this place!

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
5 Sleep Quality
5 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here a week in January 2016

CocoHuts Inn
Jalan Kapuran, Karimunjawa, Central Java, 59455 Indonesia
Phone: +62 812 355 631 36

​Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
CocoHuts Inn comes with a view! The resto I am enjoying the beautiful view Sunset view Breakfast Mie Goreng, fried noodles with chicken and egg Breakfast Nasi Goring, fried rice with chicken and egg The panoramic view from the resto where I ate my breakfast every morning. Related links: Bring the fucking shit back to where it belongs! Days passes, don't waste them... Review of Amore Cafe (Karimun Jawa, Indonesia) Review of Syailendra Hotel (Jepara, Indonesia)