AirportsMadeSimple Guest Author Post

Had an opportunity to Guest Author a post on a really great travel site called AirportsMadeSimple.

Check out my article on a wet market in Pattaya, Thailand.

Too Hot to Hit the Links? Hit the Range Instead

Summer in the Philippines Mean Less Golf, More Range

April and May are very hot and humid months in the Philippines. Heading out to play a round of golf can be tortuous due to the weather. The next best option is heading to the range, hitting some balls and working on my swing. 

EG Golf Driving Range is a simple and basic range that is never overly crowded and the price is right. 

Didi's Pizza in Angeles City, Philippines

Didi's Pizza is an independently owned restaurant in Angeles City that has been serving up their version of Filipino style pizza for over 40 years! While pizza is the local's favorite, the BBQ ribs are what really impressed me.

If you're a pizza lover and want to try something unique and different then be sure to hit up Didi's the next time you visit Angeles City, Philippines. They get very busy but will deliver right to your door. More info and pics on SleepEatGolf.

Independent Coffee Shops vs the Chains

Starbucks & Everyone Else

I don't like how Starbucks and other chains have commercialized and ruined the coffee shop experience. It's so cliche and trendy to bring your laptop and park yourself at the mall while having a coffee and working. Seriously, how long do you need to sit there and pretend to work?

What happened to the independently owned coffee shops (like Starbucks started out)? Where'd they all go? There's a funny South Park episode that tackles this very subject when Tweek's parent's are pushed out of business by one of the big chains called "Harbucks." 

I don't know about you, but I miss the small, independently owned shops. They're quaint places that are more personable and in my opinion a lot more of an authentic experience. If you're lucky enough to find one in your neighborhood drop by sometime instead of going to Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Seattle's Best or one of the other chains. You just might find a better coffee or drink for less money!

Fortunately here in the Philippines, chain coffee shops aren't as prevalent and there's still room in the marketplace for entrepreneurs to open their own stores. One such place is Hand Drip Coffee Na and it's just down the street from where I live in Angeles City. It's my favorite place to go when I want the occasional coffee beverage.   

Grand Central Suites

Great Hotel in the Heart of Walking Street

Grand Central Suites is a hotel on Fields Avenue that you've probably walked by dozens of times if you've ever visited Walking Street in Angeles City. Yes, there are hotels directly on Fields Avenue but they're usually easy to miss with all of other action and constant calls from Filipinas trying to entice you into their bars for a drink. 

This hotel has been open for over a year and a half and was formerly known as the Orange Lion. New owners took over, gutted the lobby, remodeled the rooms and added a third floor. They also put a coffee shot and large patio outside. 

The initial selling point is their location right in the middle of Walking Street. The coffee shop and patio are hard to get a seat once dusk arrives. The rooms are really great looking and the price is right. I highly suggest checking out Grand Central Suites before you book some of the other well known hotels in the area. Be sure to read more about this often overlooked hotel on SleepEatGolf and book early as they only have 20 rooms.

Pizza in Asia

Canned Tuna Is Not a Pizza Topping

Pizza in Asia is weird. I mean, it's pizza, so it's still ok even when it's bad, but as an American I don't understand some of the toppings and flavors they're combing. For example, I recently saw a margherita with canned tuna in a pizza place. Seriously? Canned tuna on a pizza! 

American Style Pizza 

Hawaiian pizza is the favorite pizza in the Philippines and in Australia, but you'll rarely see this pizza being ordered in the U.S. Your choices for American style pizza is typically limited to:

• Pizza Hut
• Shakey's
• Papa John's

While these aren't terrible choices compared to their Asian counterparts, they're not exactly my pizzas of first choice. Sure, there's a few Italian restaurants that do a decent job with a pizza, but they're typically overpriced and only slightly better. 

All hope is not lost as S&R has an absolute spot on copy of the pizza you can get in the U.S. at Costco or Sam's Club and with similar pricing. S&R is the Philippines version of Costco/Sam's Club and operates exactly the same, stocking similar items. If you have a branch near be sure to stop by for the pizza. Please note you do need a membership to enter S&R stores unless you're accompanied by a member. 

Mmmmm...Donuts

The Best Donut Chain You've Never Heard Of

J. Co Donuts is an Indonesian company with stores almost exclusively in South East Asia and Shanghai, China, but I would expect this to change in the future. If you're ever in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines or Shanghai, China be sure to check out some amazing donut creations with flavors you haven't seen or tasted before. 

Hopefully their continued success and growth will mean expansion to the U. S. as well, but for now, South East Asia has the best donut chain in the world. See and read more about them in the latest Drop-In on SleepEatGolf!