A Secret to Tell: Bhaya Cruise On-Board Meals

The reason why we chose Bhaya among the numerous companies offering cruises along Halong Bay is because of the good reviews of the food that they serve, next to affordability of course. Lunch, breakfast and brunch the following day were all buffet while dinner was a five-course set menu.

Upon arrival, we were ushered to the dining area for the briefing and buffet lunch. The buffet spread was superb as the seafood were fresh and delicious.

Drinks were not included in the buffet but it wasn't exaggeratedly expensive as the common misconception in cruise ships.

For the set dinner menu, guests were given two choices for the main course -- Pan Fried Beef with Black Pepper Sauce or Pan Fried Fish with White Wine Passion Sauce. To be able to try both, DB decided to go for the fish while I had the beef meal.

Cream Pumpkin Soup

Steamed Prawns and White Mussels

s

Green Mango Salad with Shrimp

Pan Fried Beef with Black Pepper Sauce

Pan Fried Fish with White Wine Passion Sauce

Cream Mango Mousse

We arrived early for breakfast the next day so we had the whole dining area for ourselves for a while. While the other guests were still asleep, we were already stuffing ourselves with freshly-baked breads and fruits to prepare us for the activities for the day.

Exploring the Sung Sot Cave for three hours burned all the calories from the buffet breakfast and left us hungry as a bear. Good thing the staff prepared a sumptuous brunch before sailing back to Tuan Chau Marina where our service is waiting to transport us back to the city.

Service was outstanding (language barrier was still a challenge though especially when the manager was not around), accommodation was very comfortable and the great variety of food were enough reason to choose Bhaya Cruises. And this is one secret I'd gladly share with everyone!

Solaire Resort & Casino

 

Solaire opened last March 16, 2013 and has been the premiere destination for both local and foreign tourists looking for world-class accommodation, dining and gaming experience ever since. The first phase of completion includes 500 luxurious rooms, suites and bayview villas with full resort amenities like bars, swimming pools, spa and a fitness center.

But to really feel like gaming ala Las Vegas style, wait until you see Solaire's expansive 18,500 square-meter casino with two levels of slot and table machines. Yes, it was really tempting to play the slot machines but our dear friend invited us over for lunch and a little show-off of their rooms and other facilities you can find here.

Since they were almost 90% fully booked that day, we were only shown 2 types of rooms: deluxe and grand deluxe rooms.

Deluxe Room

• 43sqm air-conditioned room with either city or sea view
• mini-bar with coffee and tea maker
• pillow menu with premium bedding
• private bathroom with complimentary toiletries
• separate bathtub and shower (with rainfall shower head)
• 46-inch flat screen TV with cable channels
• iPod docking station
• free Wi-Fi and local calls

Twin Bed

Double Bed

The Grand Deluxe Rooms have the same amenities but bigger in size. This particular room is located near the path way going to the pool so this serves as their show room only.

Want to experience how it feels like to sleep in a billion-dollar property? I know I do! So go ahead and book a room at Solaire now:  

• Deluxe Room with City View - Php12, 000 per night 
• Deluxe Room with Bay View - Php14, 000 per night 
• Grande Deluxe Room with City View - Php16, 000 per night
• Grand Deluxe Room with Bay View - Php18, 000 per night
• Two-Bay Suite Room - Php25, 000 per night
• Three-Bay Suite Room - Php45, 000 per night
• Deluxe Three-Bay Suite Room - Php55, 000 per night
• Bayside Villa - Php150, 000 per night 
• Chairman's Villa - Php300, 000 per night (Yes, you read that right!)

~o~o~o~

Solaire Resort & Casino

1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City

Tambo, Paranaque City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 888-8888

Website: http://www.solaireresort.com/

Food Trip at Old Quarter, Hanoi VN

Trying out the local cuisine has been customary for both DB and I ever since we discovered our mutual love for travel. Aside from the usual tourist spots that we include in our itinerary, we make it a point to go and eat in the places that most locals frequent. Fast food and well-known franchises are a no-no as we like to spend our nights (and lunches) on the streets.

Similar to the Vietnamese staple food Pho, Bun is made of rice flour but with thinner shape. Bun Mien is basically a bowl of tasty broth from slow-cooked beef and pork bones with glass noodles and then topped with tender meat. I love the minty leaves that gives the soup a refreshing taste.

If I were to pick one dish as my last meal in Hanoi, I would choose Bun Cha with no hesitation! Bun (rice noodles) Cha (grilled pork) is a popular dish in Hanoi that you can find a stall or two in almost every corner in the Old Quarter.

Second on my list is Nem Cua Be or Crab Meat Stuffed Egg Rolls. Just dip it in vinegar and you're in for a delicious treat! I can't remember how many rolls I had during my stay in Hanoi but it surely surpassed the number of my fingers that I had lost count already.

As part of the Old Quarter tour, our guide brought us to this dessert place before going back to the hotel. At first, I thought people were lining up for donuts or the like (hello, J.Co!) but lo and behold, it was for gourmet popcorn!

No, we were not able to try the popcorn because we were too tired to line up so I excused myself to get inside until I saw these cups in the refrigerator.

It was a simple concoction of yogurt and red beans but definitely worth the wait! I'm so happy to have trusted my instincts rather than getting some corn-based dessert which our guide was recommending to us.

I loved the Chocolate Croissant served during breakfast at Calypso Grand Hotel that I had to ask the manager where they buy them (I overheard him asking the staff to go get some when they ran out of it) so I could buy more and not empty the tray at the hotel breakfast.

I hoarded some of these freshly-baked goodies to take home but not one has made it to Manila. Blame it to Cebu Pacific's not-so-good inflight meals.

Since our flight's not leaving until midnight, we decided to spend our free time to walk farther to the Old Quarter until we chanced upon this stall that serves grilled treats ala Yakimix style.

You can choose from the variety of meats, vegetables and seafood to grill. After paying, you get a table and wait while the staff cook your orders.

Each table is equipped with grill pans so you can still reheat your orders and eat at your own pace without minding whether the food is still warm or not.

Three things that you have to remember on a food trip at the Old Quarter: wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring small bill denominations and come hungry!

Bean & Butter Cafe

Upon learning that Hongkong's Wellcome Supermarket has indeed found its way to the Philippines courtesy of the Rustan's Group, it only took a quick "Let's go!" before DB and I hopped into the car and drove 10 minutes to go to the nearest branch from my home.

I was looking forward to the things that Wellcome Philippines has in store that I had to get the biggest cart in case they brought in exciting grocery treats that this side of town is in dire need of. To our dismay, it was just like shopping in a bigger 7-11, price and stocks wise. While DB was in the counter paying for some things that we bought, I exited the supermarket and chanced upon Bean & Butter a few stalls away from Wellcome while looking for a place to eat.

Bean & Butter is a newly-opened cafe in Lancaster Square that serves delicious and mouth-watering food and drinks that won't leave a hole in your pocket.

What we ordered

Sundried Pasta - Php120.00

DB was not feeling well so he opted to go for the Sundried Pasta with the hopes that his stomach will not react violently and another trip to the restroom isn't necessary. He finished half of it just to be sure so I was tasked *ahem* to empty the plate so it won't go to waste. The pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was flavorful with generous servings of Tuna.

Chamomile Tea - Php40.00

Hungarian Sausage - Php120.00

One of Bean & Butter's bestsellers that the staff recommended is this Hungarian Sausage Sandwich. And whenever there's hotdog/sausage in the meal, I'm all in! The sausage was juicy and I love that the outside had a crunchy bite to it but not over fried -- this one is definitely worth the calories!

I was craving for something sweet so I ordered this Choco Almond but it was 10x sweeter than I was expecting. I literally had to gulp down 2 glasses of water to dilute the sugar overload intake.

Choco Almond - Php120.00

I will definitely come back to try some more dishes soon!

~o~o~o~

Bean & Butter Cafe

Unit 3 Lancaster Square
Advincula Road, Alapan II B
Kawit, Cavite, Philippines

Tel.: (63927) 827-3765