More Than A Cymbal The Sincere Hospitality In Savarin Hotel

Many of the most beautiful stories in the history were told with heart and emotion. Stories of goodness, kindness, mercy towards humanity. I want to write today a heartwarming story, happened to my family, how it continues to linger despite it happened almost a month ago. 

Savarin Hotel in The Hague

cold outside, heartwarming inside

From Louman Museum, on a cold afternoon, we traveled back home. As my husband drives and exit the busy historic streets in The Hague, our car started to wiggle. There is something wrong, my husband exits again the three of four lane expressway, we entered Rijswijk. You cannot park your car just anywhere in Netherlands. The penalty is too high. There are numbers for any emergency, and since we need to troubleshoot the car, my husband made some phone calls.

The ANWB will come to fix our car, we are hoping that it will not take much time. I'm quiet, starting to feel panic when my husband said that ANWB coming in an hour. My husband sensed it, he, we, do not like to sit in the car for an hour, watching the passers-by and speeding cars. “Let’s go, have a walk, and have coffee”, told my husband. Just a few steps, we entered the Savarin Hotel. The New Year celebration of the world is only a few days away, it’s expected that hotels are full and busy.

We sit in the small, almost cramped reception. My husband went to the reception desk to let them know our purpose. I took the cozy corner, by the window, overlooking the parking area, and a so petit bookshelf with travel and lifestyle magazines, good to kill time. My son nagging, “how long it takes, mama?”

Guest coming in, coming out. Even it’s warm inside, I still feel the very cold dry wind outside. One of the hotel staff brought a cup of coffee to my husband, black to please his delight, while my son has his cold creamed chocolate milk, mine is warm without “slagrom”. Warm drink and reading, one of the most relaxing combination. 

Coming of guests is non-stop. One of the reception staff, cheerful, welcoming the guests with free glass of champagne. The scene is like holiday people in the Swiss mountains, checking in and ready to ski.

One couple went up in the lift, with a merry face, it was like in a blink, they came down with a face merrier. 

It was then that one of the staff, set a tray on a round table before us, and called my son on the other side of the reception area, watching the car race on the big tv. “Did my husband asked for another drink?”, I asked. “No, no”! The staff said, “it’s for your son.”

She lay down on the round table the tray with a glass of hot milk with three small plates, our son can choose from the three: white chocolate, brown chocolate, or pure chocolate for his warm chocolate drink. 

My husband left us to meet the troubleshooter who was already in our car. While I was still mixing  my son’s drink, my husband hurriedly back and said we can go home now! 

I pick up my bag, wear my jacket, and grabbed my son who still engrossed watching the car race. I went to the reception, asking them if I need to pay the drink, looks so special to be taken for granted. They all smiling and said, “no”! I thank them for their warm hospitality even we’re not a check in guests. I was not able to document the kindness through photos because they also let me charged my phone on their desk with their charger while we’re waiting. 

As we walked back to the car, I am glad I took a snap shot of just anything in front of the hotel, for me to keep, to remind me that once, this five star hotel gave us a very warm reception, that sincerity is like a cymbal to make them deserving of the said title. The memory remains poignant to me.

The Car and Taxi In The Godfather, The Customized Cadillac of Elvis Presley, and The Sedan Chair 1750. Our Family Tour at Louman Museum

Seeing many cars is a normal experience you have when you live in the city. In the Philippines, I can see many cars on the highway, such as in Edsa, in Ayala, or even in Manila. But seeing many luxurious cars, from 1700’s onward to modern times is quite an experience. I'm referring to our recent visit to the Louwman Museum in The Hague.

This is worth of your visit... Especially if you love cars.

Our family arrived at the museum before lunchtime. As you enter the building, your face will gleam how huge the entry hall, as you see the shining purple American car just as you enter the grand hall, your mind starts to guess… what’s next? We arrived there before noon. 

my husband and son, the garden is royalty

the grand hall, ground floor

the oldest Toyota, found in a farm in Russia

it's nostalgic, seeing this prestigious car as the same time, there is an old jukebox  nearby playing the unforgettable songs of Elvis Presley

This swan car is from India, used in the film

the Sedan Chair, 1750 The first no motor vehicle for the affluent society. As I am looking, I am imagining what if I am already alive during that period, am I one of the slaves carrying it, or I am the one who nonchalant sitting grand there? What a thought!

The entire world I think saw the film The Godfather. This is the gangster's taxi!

The first ever car in the museum, 1914. Before the museum was filled of rare collections.

An old gasoline pump, with the red me. 

I started by finding first the toilet. The public toilet is on the first floor, when I stepped out, my excitement accelerated, just on the other side is the vintage car as well as the taxi that was used in the classic film The Godfather. I calm down, I know we can get closer, I need to see first where my husband and son are now, I left them in the cloakroom.

I returned to the ground floor and they are waiting for me at the museum’s restaurant.  I’m all smiles, the setting, the background, even the floor seems a time machine, will bring you back in time, 1930’s? In London? 

The tour will start from the top to bottom. I Never feel so excited seeing cars or any vehicles as I felt that time. It was almost a whole day tour. 

The museum is not just about cars, what I found very compelling is the history behind each car. I made many photos, I cannot post them all, really, they are too many. I love to show only the cars that captured my heart, I carry them well in my memory. There is something bittersweet with them, Some of the photos I made maybe will let you feel why.

If you will ever come to visit the Netherlands, why not put Louman Museum among places you visit. I am sure you are going to enjoy the richness of the entire building. From Sedan chair, to chariots, to racing cars and luxury cars. And from there, I have also learned that the first electric car is the car of GrandMa Duck, the grand mother of Donald Duck! In all, the Louman Museum has 275 rare cars for you to see! 

with my favourite. A classic Pegasus shown in New York Car Show circa 1956

Flight Preparation. Mga Tips Para Iwas Hassle Sa Airport

SA APENHEUL! ANG NAKAKAALIW NA MUNDO NG MGA UNGGOY!

BAKIT FEEL KO NASA QUIAPO AKO NANG NASA PARIS AKO?

ROAD-TRIP INSIDE THE NETHERLANDS LONGEST TUNNEL HIGHWAY!

I FOUND THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF DRIMMELEN THROUGH CRUISING

IT'S LIKE I CAN TOUCH THE SKY IN HOEK VAN HOLLAND!

Greece Vacation 2018: Potami River

On the afternoon that we arrived in Kovus, my husband started to survey the town. When I woke up from my afternoon nap, we drive going up to the mountain and I admire the olive green scenery. On the way, we stop at the cemetery and I made few photos both of the grave and the century old olive trees. Going down, we went ahead more and we stopped at Potami River.

Potami River is the largest in Corfu. From what I read, it springs from the mountains of the village Pekkas and flows into the Saltmarshes, crossing Corfu widthwise, something that I want to find out next time. 3.5 kilometers of total length, navigable at 2.5 towards the banks, and is safe for swimming. Fishing boats are also a common sight. Potami River is mentioned in the Venetian Maps of Corfu, that shows it has an old history.

It was so quiet there. Only few visitors with their car. Two men parked their car at the bridge with its tail light blinking, they sat in the restaurant fronting the river, smoke their cigars and  eat their meal nonchalant. On the river bank, there are restaurants, bars, and cafes. Offering real Greek foods, fresh fish on your plate, and an ice cream saloon on summer days until the summer bids goodbye for a while.

The cobble stoned narrow street is separated the restaurants, cafes, and gift shops from old homes, and those abandoned places. Rivers are beautiful subjects in photography, but ruins and old homes were surprisingly a photographers delight that I have just found out!

From Potami River, we drive a bit more and we ended on a beach. A beach that lonesome, the shower area is just a replica of the most recent joyful summer. As I recall the sight, and the smell of Potami River, I am yearning to go back there when the sun is up, scorching, and the smile and laugher of the holiday people abound.

Greece Vacation 2018: Hello, Greece!

My son has a week school vacation, in the Netherlands, it is Herfst vakantie or autumn vacation. We took the chance to go for a while, this time our family went in Greece.

From Amsterdam, it is only two and a half hour flight to the old town of Corfu. The airplane landed in Ionnis Kapodistrias International Airport, in Corfu at Kerkyra, the sixth busiest airport in Greece, on a cold Sunday morning. There is a van that waits for us, that will take us to the office of Car Union, where we will get the car that my husband rented for us to use, to keep us mobile while in Greece. From Corfu, we have the White Fiat, and we happily traveled to Kavos. In Kavos, we have our accommodation, in Mediterranean Blue.  

Just arrived, but the road and the view going to Kavos is already a welcoming treat. On a narrow old road, winding and fronting the Mediterranean blue sea, I feel happy that my husband took us there. We passed by a thick forest, a mountain of olives, going up, going down, then a look like "an abandoned old town", then Kavos. Kavos is at the municipality of Lefkimmi, a seaside village that is now booming with tourists from all over Europe. Because we arrived when summer is already gone, most restaurants, shops, hotels, and apartments are closed. Kavos after summer look like a ghost town. 

We arrived in Mediterranean Blue before lunch time. The place is exactly what it appears on the Internet. The swimming pool holds its title: Mediterranean Blue. They offer accommodation with private balconies, ours has two rooms, kitchen, and a big bed that is enough for us three in one room and another two separate beds at the other room. On our first night, we are just in time to experience the Mediterranean Blue's Greek Night with buffet barbecue dinner. As I am writing this, I think I want to share my own feelings why you have to visit Greece even just once in your lifetime:

1. The food 

2. The view 

3. The history 

4. The people

5. Because Greece is something. Greece is special. Greece is unique.

Please read more my next, next blog! More vacation and travel stories in Greece.

My First Indian Restaurant Experience at Sher-E-Punjab in Lelystad

The Naan bread, Chicken Dhansak, and Indian saffron Basmati rice.

Aside from love and relationship, food and travel are also included as the best topics in blogging. We eat not only to satisfy our hunger, but also to enjoy. After paying a not really good meal, it is like we feel the regrets. I have a weekend in Lelystad with my son to attend our annual Regional Convention when I have my first real Indian dinner in a restaurant. A few months ago, my husband cooked chicken Madras for our family that we really enjoyed. 

With my son

Just in front of the Lelystad City Hall, you can see many restaurants. That night, being away from home for a while, I want to have something different. I want to have a meal that is with heart and down to earth. I saw this Indian Restaurant, Sher-E-Punjab. The place opens at 5:00 in the afternoon. We were the first costumer that time. The place is clean, cozy. I chose the table where my son facing the framed famed Taj Mahal, me facing two big canvases of Indian spices and herbs. 

Sher-E-Punjab is the first Indian restaurant in Lelystad. The age-old balance use of herbs and spices in Indian cuisine is a tradition that they continue with great care. Their menus range from Punjab to Madras, a wide selection of meat, fish, grilled, and vegetarian. Menus with a price that is very reasonable. The menus are new to me. They have Tandoori main courses. I was torn choosing between Buttered Chicken and Chicken Dhansak. But I settled on the latter, since I know what is butter all my life but never of Dhansak. I have no regret choosing Chicken Dhansak. It was so incredibly delicious. The taste was subtle, very authentic, and the spices were not so spicy that even my son enjoyed our meal. Chicken Dhansak is blocks of chicken fillet, served with mango, chutney, lentils, and Indian herbs. They also served us four big Naan breads and the Indian saffron Basmati rice was really homey. It was a grand dinner for me and for my son. The staff were friendly and helpful. The next time that we are in Lelystad, I love to be back to Sher-E-Punjab. To feel and to taste again the authentic cooking of India in the Netherlands.

Visiting The Batavia-Werf, Home Of The Century Old Batavia Ship

The century old Batavia

In the Netherlands, there is this place named Batavia-Stad, the center of outlet shopping. It is a walled center of branded goods such as Sketchers, Esprit, and Benneton.

Looks like an skeleton of the ship. The ship reconstrucion site

my Dutch family in the "flagship"

old canyon inside the Batavia

Ropes of all sizes made for the ship

This traditional blacksmith made a beautiful souvenir for our son

This Batavia-Stad is in the Lelystad, the Home of the Batavia-Werf. What is Batavia Werf? Batavia Werf is a shipyard that uses the traditional Dutch shipbuilding techniques to create authentic constructions of famous ships such as the Batavia.
Me and my family visited Batavia-Werf, and it was an awesome experience, not only for me but for our whole family. What made the Batavia-Werf a must-see place is that it authentically reconstructed the 17th century VOC ship ever made. I was fascinated when we went on board the Batavia that moored across the road. The feeling was like I see Captain Hook there. Inside the Batavia remains a lot of replica from the bygone era.

An ancient navigation system

There are old canyons that were used to protect the land from the enemies. It is like a scène in an adventure movie. Aside from that, we also explored the shipyard, see the traditional crafts in workshops, and the work-in-progress in reconstructing a ship. It was a great experience. When we went at the gift and souvenir shop, I was a bit disappointed that the book Batavia is not available in English.

Me on the top :)

At the lower ground of the Batavia

We ended our tour by having a cozy lunch at the restaurant just there at the Batavia shipyard.

A huge shipyard that visitors need signs

At the Batavia gift shop

If ever you will be visiting the Netherlands, you can add the Batavia-Werf in Lelystad in your itinerary. It is really worth your trip.