Passionate about Passion Spa

I talked about how much I like and am enjoying their services  in this post.  So, let's take a peek on what's inside...




The big facade with their name of course. So you won't miss it. 

For swedish and aromatherepy massages, you will be asked to choose your preferred oil scent

For facial services, the products they use depend on your skin type,  (imported & known brands)

 

Towels everywhere and I can see where they are stacked. so, I am assured that they are clean and if I request for one, they have a supply 

 

They have so many rooms, depending on the service. This one is for the traditional Thai massage. 

 

And after a relaxing massage (body or facial), here's fresh salabat for you

Baguio (Late Post)

The last time I was here was year 2004 with my friends in MBA school. The last time I was with my family was way back college graduation. Now, it's more fun as we have kiddos, my pamangkins, with  us.

<backtrack>

When I went home last April, my sister told me their family is going to Baguio early May and since the vacation house can accommodate more people she floated the idea of us (me & my parents) joining them. It was a no for me as my return flight is scheduled that same weekend and SG airlines flight for the following week was already full. But persistence is the key. I don't know how my sister did it but an hour after, she told me that she was able to rebook my flight. I even thought it was a joke because I've been calling for days but it only took her like 5 min. My doubts were confirmed when I received a confirmation email of my new sched.

So, the next question -- how to get there.   Do we bring our own car,  ride with my sister or just take the public transpo?  Both my parents are discouraged by their doctors to take long road trips (in the Philippines). Driving on our roads is like driving on the moon. For someone who has heart problems, that is not advisable. My parents and I decided to take the bus....yes, Victory Liner at its best. They have a "1st class bus" that has wifi, tablet (which you can borrow in case you don't have one) and reclining seats!!!!

Yeah, that's me enjoying their 1st class service. We got the 1st row seats so there was really a lot of leg room. Not to mention, they offer snacks (junkie, cupcake & bottled water)

It only took us 4 hours as it was an express ride. No need to stop-over as they also have toilet inside the bus. I think we it was a good decision as it was totally hassle-free. You just sleep and when you wake up, you're already in Baguio!

We went to the usual places and my my my....it really has changed a lot. Like in Mines View Park, I was surprised with so many market stalls. I can still remember it was only along the road where people would sell their stuff.

Anyway, my new escapades in this trip include the following:

Strawberry shortcake from Vizco's which is really worth a try. Calamansi cake from a Mongolian (buffet) restaurant.

They say Baguio is not complete without stopping by Choco-Latte de Batirol.

 It is a hot, thick bittersweet blend with a distinctive texture

I don't have pictures inside SM Baguio but that's another new to me. Well, I really hope we can go back there again this time with my hubby. Let's see...what about spending Xmas there.....

Passion Spa

I am a sucker for massages. During my singlehood days, I would normally go 2x a week for a massage. I feel so relieved after as if I gained new energy. Even when I travel I make it a point to have one. After a day of walking and walking and walking....ooohhhh, what a relief to have your whole body being pampered.

Here in Cambodia, spa/massage places are everywhere. Prices range for as low as $2 to as high as $100. It all depends on which place you go to and the kind of service you want. But on the average, it will cost you $25 for a full body massage if you go to a "modern/western"-looking spa. It is very unfortunate though that my experience are NOT good. Sometimes I even feel tired as soon as I step out. I prefer hard massage and I guess their interpretation of "hard" is "bugbugin ang katawan."  It totally defeats the purpose of why I'd go there. I've tried a few of those recommended by friends but still no good. Then I read in Phnom Penh post (a newsletter type) a physical therapist talking about most of his clients complaining about the massage here. He even shared that it's because most of the masseuse are not really trained the proper way. Owners ask if they have 'experience' and they're hired.

From then on, I stopped exploring. Anyway, I go to Manila almost every now and then so I's rather wait than spend money on useless things.  Until one night, I met the owner of Passion Spa and Salon and gave me a discount coupon.  I always pass by the place as I live in the area but I've never tried as it looked expensive hahaha. One long weekend we tried going and lo and behold. The service reminded me of my experience at The Spa (in Manila) except the big hot jazzucci pool. But the way they knead your body....exactly the way I want it. The facilities are very modern/western. It's very clean as they use white carpet so one would easily notice dirt. I even liked their salabat and pandan water :-)

I am very happy with this discovery. Just a few meters away from the house, price is reasonable, salon services are cheaper than where I usually go to. 

Happy Easter!!!

I just want to say Peace be with You all and may the season remind us of God's love to mankind.

It's something to celebrate so off we go to hear mass officiated by Bishop Olivier. It is my 1st time to see him. I thought he is old but for a bishop, he looks young. After which we headed to Sofitel to try their Sunday 'Brunch' buffet and Easter Egg Hunt. The selections are way better than their dinner buffet. And their dessert section...ahhhh...to die for! It was complete as they have japanese, italian, chinese and other western food. 

My friend Nicky wanted to bring home the mushroom decors while I want to take home the giant easter egg chocolates. My husband told me it's only for decoration until I saw two tables taking home those gigantic chocolates...hmph! 

Burger King!!!

Finally, another American fastfood in town! Although I still prefer Mike's Burger (local burger) but still, a good very good option to have. I luuuv Burger King especially their Whopper which is what I ate :-)

Burger King is located in airport, immediately outside the arrival area. It's in front of Cafe Fresco. I just arrived here last January but in 3 months time there are like 2-3 new restos I think in the airport. Going back to Burger King, inside there are high stool bars or chairs...in case you are a single traveler  and wants to mingle with others. 

There are also comfy seats inside and outside

Good thing this is located not within walking distance or else.... say goodbye to diet! 

Happy Valentine's

Valentine's day is an event we celebrate as a family. That is why I really don't associate this day to just "romantic" love but love in general. I remember always haing dinner outside with my parents and sister even if it's traffic. Yes, traffic is horrible and at its worst during this day. Yeah....like 1 hour from Ayala Ave to The Fort area which on a normal day may take you just 15-20 minutes. 

Last year, aside from being away from my family, my husband was also in a business trip. But of course he did not forget to send me flowers. This was unforgettable because the flowers were in a vase that doesn't match its colors and it was raining that day so I almost cannot read what was written in the card. But this year was great! I love the flowers, I love the buffet dinner and just the fact that he is here with me....I am so happy! Here are some pictures of our valentine's date with our friends at Regency Cafe, Intercontinental Hotel.

Fitness

After 3 months of no exercise, I'm back! This pool is 25 meters, I think. So let's see if I can make it to the end or how many laps I can make....ulk, good luck to me!

New Finds

IBC Bookstore has a new branch along Sihanouk Blvd. Yehey! I don't need to go to Monivong anymore to shop for office supplies. Sometimes I just go there to window shop -- checking out what they have so that in case I need one, I already know where to buy it. 

Look what I found....

 

I wasn't planning to buy anything but I just luuuuuv the designs plus it's not something bulky so in case we move places I can bring it with me :-) 

Sweet Tooth

Even if there is a lot (like 5-6 of them in one street) of coffee shops here in Phnom Penh, I haven't found one that serves the kind of cake I like -- rich chocholate, moist cake. Until Secret Recipe opened I think some time in Sept-Oct. 

My friend from SG who went to visit me early this year observed that it's because local coffee shops use cake flour. Well, I am not into baking so I'll stop here... haha....

So even if Secret Recipe is quite far from my place, I really frequent the resto just because of their cakes. I already ate almost each kind except for the usual flavors -- black forest, tiramisu. Talk of calories and fat gained! 

Here's one of my favorites -- chocolate moist cake!

TOUS les JOURS

I don't know how to pronounce the name of this newly opened bakery here in Phnom Penh. I just call it "toos-les-dyoo-rs" hahahaha...

 

(they officially had their grand opening today)

They have good bread selections -- a lot of variety and one can buy in bulk.

 

So we ordered the following: fruit bread, ham croissant, 2 capuccino coffee and chocolate cupcake. Bread is really good. You know that it's freshly baked. 

 

 

UAAP Ateneo vs La Salle

I'm not really a UAAP follower because my alma mater never made it even to the semis (i think!) except in cheerdancing...ehem ehem... Since my husband is a sports fan, he watches anything related to it. Unfortunately our current apartment is not yet supported by fiber optic thus not able to subscribe to TFC. So off we go to Cafe Namu, which is soon-to-be our neighbor.

thank you to live streaming 

ambience in Cafe Namu

Hope everyone is enjoying the game! Whoever wins, congratulations!

Christian Bautista in Cambodia?

Nooo wayyyy!!!! After my last call(meeting) this afternoon, I decided to continue work in a coffee shop. It's been a while since I did this. I think my parents were still here in Phnom Penh so that must have been a month. Anyway, going back to my story. I am not really attentive to listening to songs. But the one playing right now sounds so familiar. I paused and kept thinking why is that so. That's because it's sang by Christian Bautista. He is a famous FIlipino singer (obviously I am from the Philippines) and his songs are really popular there. So there, for the first time I felt close to home just listening. I don't know the title but the lyrics are like "there is something in the way, you look at me...."

Brown @ 'd Riverside

I frequently get my coffee from Brown because of it's accessibility and it"s variety of coffee types (caramel macchiato, hazelnut frappe, decaf) which you can seldom find in other coffee shops here (cafe fresco is another option).

A colleague of my husband, from Vietnam, told us that the branch in riverside (facing Tonle Sap River) has opened and he likes the ambience of the new store. Since we are in the area today, I asked Ryan if we can have dessert here so we can try out the place. I agree....the place is bigger compared to its other branches yet they were able to maintain the 'homey' feeling. 

   Depends on your mood, there are high chairs, 

    comfy sofas and usual small group tables