If there is one thing we'll miss in Vancouver, it's Japanese food. Almost every weekend, we searched for the best sashimi, gyoza or ramen in town. We were hardly ever disappointed over there - the fish was always fresh and the rolls were always super.
We heard Maki Yaki is the only Japanese restaurant in Naga (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and so we decided to give it a try the other night with family.
Maki Yaki is a cute, clean little restaurant on the first floor of Avenue Square (although there is another branch at SM Naga which I hear has a limited menu). The food is good - of course we cannot say it is the best Japanese food we've ever tasted - but it's flavourful and decent. The pork gyoza was tasty and surprisingly, the sauce had a sour kick to it (much vinegar and not enough sugar but still okay). The miso soup was a little on the salty side (for me, but alright for Tom), but was neutralized with the other dishes we ordered.
The sushi boat was alright. The sushi rice was sweet and moist and quite tasty on its own. Although there was not much variety in the boat we ordered, we enjoyed it nonetheless (it was mostly tamagoyaki [egg]). There are more rolls on the menu that looked promising, so we'll come back to try them some other time.
The food was served quite quickly but when it was time for dessert, it took way too long. It's possible though that we were there way too late, as it was almost eleven in the evening. They might have had to reopen the whole kitchen. I don't know.
Overall, it was a good dining experience. We will go back to try the rolls and the sake.
TOM'S GRADE - 3 out of 10
TAM 'S GRADE - 5 out of 10
Friday, May 6, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Holy Week
We arrived in the Philippines just in time for Holy Week - our first Holy Week and Easter as a couple. :)
***
Growing up, my brothers and I would spend our summer vacations in Bicol - two months in San Jose (at a time when there were no phone lines, cellular phones or internet). Summers were spent under the sun, on the streets and in the most low-tech ways possible - yet, they were always amazing.
The highlight of our stay would be the Holy Week festivities - going with the processions, watching the caros, the sayos and the rest of the faithful. But the best part would be the production number of the Seven Last Words at the church.
I wanted Tom to see all of this - it would be his first Holy Week back home in 19 years.
I have never really gone on any other Holy Week procession other than the one in San Jose, so I cannot compare this experience with anything else. But, I have heard that this parish does something a little bit more special. With the help of the families that have been in charge of the festivities over the years, the community comes together to reenact the scene on Good Friday. A mountain made out of ferns and other greens are put together to carry the Cross of Christ, the thieves , the soldiers and the Blessed Mother. Ladies and gentlemen from the town volunteer to stand still in the heat throughout the Seven Last Words until the moment that Christ dies at three in the afternoon. This year, the church courtyard was packed with people. We couldn't make our way to the front - but at three, we heard the "rumbling of thunder" (I think it was a motorcycle) and saw the bursts of fire coming from the mountain.
The procession in the evening is no different - the Way of the Cross comes alive with the commitment of those that strike the pose of their station throughout the whole procession. Rain or shine, people walk throughout the procession. Rain or shine, the actors hold their pose - as Christ carrying his cross, as Veronica wiping His face, as Simon helping the Lord. An amazing act of dedication, love and faith for everyone involved.
***
Growing up, my brothers and I would spend our summer vacations in Bicol - two months in San Jose (at a time when there were no phone lines, cellular phones or internet). Summers were spent under the sun, on the streets and in the most low-tech ways possible - yet, they were always amazing.
The highlight of our stay would be the Holy Week festivities - going with the processions, watching the caros, the sayos and the rest of the faithful. But the best part would be the production number of the Seven Last Words at the church.I wanted Tom to see all of this - it would be his first Holy Week back home in 19 years.
I have never really gone on any other Holy Week procession other than the one in San Jose, so I cannot compare this experience with anything else. But, I have heard that this parish does something a little bit more special. With the help of the families that have been in charge of the festivities over the years, the community comes together to reenact the scene on Good Friday. A mountain made out of ferns and other greens are put together to carry the Cross of Christ, the thieves , the soldiers and the Blessed Mother. Ladies and gentlemen from the town volunteer to stand still in the heat throughout the Seven Last Words until the moment that Christ dies at three in the afternoon. This year, the church courtyard was packed with people. We couldn't make our way to the front - but at three, we heard the "rumbling of thunder" (I think it was a motorcycle) and saw the bursts of fire coming from the mountain.The procession in the evening is no different - the Way of the Cross comes alive with the commitment of those that strike the pose of their station throughout the whole procession. Rain or shine, people walk throughout the procession. Rain or shine, the actors hold their pose - as Christ carrying his cross, as Veronica wiping His face, as Simon helping the Lord. An amazing act of dedication, love and faith for everyone involved.
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