A fan will forever have this nostalgic feeling of ever seeing something they have grown to love. For me, I scouted for some memorable locations during my travels that reminded me of F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

1. Beijing, China:
During my last visit in Beijing, my friends and I tried to relive Central Perk experience by going to a cafe that have replicated the original. The owner even look a bit like Gunther or so we want him to be! He was adamant about having this cafe, obviously he is the biggest fan!

Go visit and order some hot choco or coffee to complete the mood!

Central Perk, Chaowai SOHO, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Building A, Suite 0616.

2. Warner Brothers Studio, Los Angeles USA
The real thing! Everything well preserved, it was the perfect fan tour I had hoped for. Although I can’t touch anything there, the quick view of the actual set.

Quick trivia from the tour: Gunther’s character was not supposed to be included, he was just one of the production crew who knows how to use the coffee machines at the set. Eventually, since people were curious about that guy, he became a staple character in the show, someone who has a crush on Rachel, hates Ross for that!

Check out Smart destinations where you can choose places you want to visit. It charges per day. If you want to visit a lot in a day, it is really worth it. I paid around $40 for a 2 day pass but I only got to use the studio tour because other places are far away.

I had expected it to be a tiring one. We first head off to Camiguin for some R&R at the Paras Beach Resort which was pretty decent. A lot of tourist seem to stay here because it’s nearer to the sandbar beach famous in Camiguin. Seeing a picturesque volcano while lounging around the sandbar is a perfect relaxation mode. I was too lazy to swim so I totally stared at the beach and talked with friends.

We also explored other places in the island such as Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Hot spring and Old Church which reminded me of Mt. Mayon’s nearby sunken church.

You know when you just don’t know how cameras capture beautiful photos, but the scenery was too overrated? Well surprisingly, I love this falls! While I was taking pictures, I can’t believe that the photos and the falls are so much alike that I don’t need to bring an expensive camera. Staring and spacing out has been my past time this time around. Either I’m getting old or I am getting so lazy!

Going back to CDO, we headed to our hotel Malberry Suites after a long trip back ( from Benoni Pier ) approximately 2 hours if I remember correctly.

Early morning we went to Dahilayan Adventure Park and even got starstruck seeing Sam Milby and KC shooting their movie there! Thinking of other things besides heights which I dread, I was concentrating on seeing the green scenery and cool breeze around, forcing my knees not to shiver.

My friends had reservations to a famous farm called Del Monte. Here, it was notable for their steaks which cows were rumored to be fed with their sweet pineapples. Sadly, I was not a steak lover so I ordered a bangus instead.

Then off we go to that famous whitewater rafting! Though 3 hours seems to be too long, the boatman entertained us for the most part and wanted us to flip our boats, but luckily we all refused to be drenched in muddy waters as some of my friends have their “p-day”..its too much icky. Those WWR pictures do make people think that it was a rough ride right? *wink*

I recommend those tour guides Great White Water Tours. You can book them to take your wild pictures along the way!

Platinum Mall

I love Bangkok’s shopping mall called Platinum Mall. I remember to always find a hotel walking distance from that mall. We spent the whole day shopping. Imagine clothes costing around 150-200 baht..well you can’t be certain about the quality, but for the cute design, I’ll surely buy!

If you have enough weekend days to waste, you can also visit the famous Chajutak market where you can find almost anything in the sun. There are lovely independent designers showcasing their clothes, cute puppies in some area, lots of quirky things, art deco for you house, and food food food. But do take note, this is not an air conditioned area…so you will definitely sweat especially during summer!

MBK

I did not have much time to go around the huge malls..but I believe Bangkok has those prestigious one around the city.

Food love

TAKE NOTE: Top floor for the best PAD THAI in the mall (try Platinum’s Food court!) It is a quick treat for hungry shoppers.

Along the street, you can buy some coconut lovin’ for juice lovers.

And don’t forget to look for the best dessert in Bangkok.

Mango Sticky Rice

Oh man, I miss Bangkok.

Located at a artsy location called Courtyard, Duck de Chine offers more allure in terms of ambiance. The posh settings was a bit intimidating for us youngsters but we got the hang of it. The best thing to do before you visit is to call in for reservation so they can prepare how many ducks you would like to be prepared. A whole duck costs around 188rmb, which is still relatively cheaper than the ones here in Manila.

The basic follows..

First the chef assigned for your table will let you check on the duck’s perfection before slicing it. The aroma of this duck could make everyone smile at the waiting table.

In this restaurant, as it shows some suave ambiance, we silently ask if they serve free plain refreshment unfortunately none is offered.

Dining at Duck de Chine made me feel a tad old compared to once we were. A different transition from us four years ago. Beijing improved a lot from all aspects especially fine dining.

DA DONG

But of course, we had to relish our Beijing food trip with another Peking duck with Da Dong. We had to wait for a long queue in that restaurant eventhough we reserved thru the phone beforehand. While watching the cooks who mercilessly roast the ducks to perfection, we felt sorry for the left overs which was immediately thrown aside, we had to request to savage its beautiful pieces!

Personally, I like Da Dong better

Duck de Chine
1949-The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu,
????
# 6501-8881

Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant ???????
1-2/F Nanxincang International Plaza, 22A Dongsi Shitiao,
(southwest of Dongsi Shitiao Bridge)
Dongcheng District, Beijing
5169-0328

We had to stop by and eat our Wudaokou Korean favorites for maybe the last time for a while…and as this topic title sounds..it is a binge!!

Those small restaurants are wonderful side trips than making your trip in Beijing full of famous Peking duck dinners. I loved our exploration to the Korean town again. My favorite Higeoyagi is still open! and serving our favorite Salmon Pasta! We had our closure at last…

I can eat this big bowl by myself..good Lord!

If you live around the area, be sure to get their menu to go, you must “tabao” or make them deliver those goodies to you!

We also ate at the local favorite of BLCU koreans (Salangbang). You just have to order the sizzling corn. One order is not enough!

Along Wangjuanglu, we spotted our old favorite Kimchi rice place which we normally called but is named (see picture below)

We ordered some pork belly roasted to perfection and that Korean bbq place warmed us up for a quick trip along memory lane.

I wasn’t able to find my favorite milktea stall along Huaqingjiayuan area, but got to try the new one beside a corner bakery.

My fingers look so pale! The warm milktea made me feel much better walking along a dreaded cool autumn season.

Quick Tip: Better grab some The Beijinger or Cityweekend magazine around notable restaurants so you can just point the Chinese version of the address to the taxi driver.

My friends’ favorite..a must visit for us alumni of BLCU is the famous Minbao! Now their sauces are served buffet style. You can make your own type of peanut sauce to your liking.

Minbao

Although peanut and hotpot don’t make me jump up and down, it was pleasant to have a warm dinner after a chilly trip at the Bird’s nest and Water cube on sunset. The sauce can be addicting at first, but made my tougue indifferent with the true flavor of the hotpot.

We tried Salt (a similar restaurant to Alameda)..Brazilian fine dining..we notice the chef looks familiar.

The food was ok for me…not fantastic but just ok. I thought coffee was free though, and alas, I saw the bill (it was 45rmb!!) Oh man…never be embarrass to ask if it’s free or not

To be continued…