By Nathan Allen

Open For Business – & Better Than Ever

I know it’s been over 3 years…but I guess I didn’t expect this much progress. The Philippines is a country close to my heart, and it has many strengths. However, if I’m being honest, progress isn’t really one of them. Like the U.S., there is so much political infighting. Progress moves at a snail’s pace…if things are even moving forward at all.

However, Tacloban looked great. It was bustling with shops and businesses, and the quality of goods and services went far beyond my expectations. It’s not a large city, but somehow it feels more sophisticated like one.

I had a motorbike very generously provided by Haven’s Tourist Transport near the airport. Rhoel, the owner, was a great guy. He gave me a quick tour of the area before I took the bike out myself.

I stopped by a few places downtown. The first was beautiful Hotel Alejandro, which dates back to prewar times. There is an impressive exhibit with hundreds of historical photos on the walls. After that, I checked out Sto Niño Church, which is a vibrant white color now that it has been restored post-typhoon.

(More Tacloban street photos)

Next was the Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum, a rest home built for former President Marcos’ wife Imelda. Apparently her bathroom was larger than most of the citizens’ homes, and she actually ended up staying in the place only once.

I was able to do some street photography downtown, where I captured the hustle and bustle of the jeepneys, trikes, and commuters. Last, I visited the Anibong Memorial, or Yolanda Shrine. Many cargo ships washed ashore during the storm, but people began visiting and taking photos of this one in particular. Knowing this, the government decided to turn it into a monument – to memorialize the victims of the super typhoon.

The MacArthur Landing Site

Leyte is famous with WWII history buffs. That’s because just south of Tacloban, you can find the site of General Douglas MacArthur’s famous return to the Philippines. The American general had been forced to flee from the Japanese previously, but he kept his promise – and these statues memorialize his unit’s return.

It was quite surreal for me, because I ended up here on the 4th a July, our Independence Day in the U.S. It’s a time of celebration with friends and family, which I was desperately missing, having been on the other side of the world for over a year. Somehow, visiting this monument on this day brought me home.

I’ve always wanted to come here. It’s actually a National Park, and it’s located in the town of Palo, about 10 kms south of Tacloban City.

Tacloban Restaurants

This is what particularly impressed me about Tacloban. The business owners seem to be so motivated, and the service + quality standards are a cut above much of the rest of the country. I guess I was impressed by the food in Leyte and Samar in general. Are the ingredients better in this region, or do people just have tastes that fall more in line with mine? 

Jo’s Chicken Inato Milagrina

Rewind back to March, 2013. I’m wandering the streets of Dumaguete (southern Philippines), with a hunger in my belly. I find a nice looking chicken restaurant, and try some Chicken Inasal.

Now fast forward to present day. I never imagined I would receive an invite to dine with the owner of the Tacloban branch, 3 years later. Jo’s Chicken Inato Milagrina serves family-style Filipino food in a comfortable garden-style environment.

(Photos of Jo’s Chicken Inato Milagrina)

(Assortment of Filipino foods)

The owner, Apple Anido Alagon was kind to prepare a nice selection of dishes and desserts for me to sample. Loved the Pineapple Mango Ginger Slush…all shakes and slushes are made with real fruit.  Also pictured is the dessert turon (fried banana) with langka (jackfruit) and ice cream.

Next is the house specialty. It looks like Bacolod-style Chicken Inasal, but with a pork BBQ stick included. It’s called Jo’s Chicken Inato Combo. Last, a plate of Zamboanga-style Spicy Shrimp.

Yes, there’s also unli (unlimited) rice.

Another one of Apple’s claims to fame is her Salted Egg Potato Chips. Apparently they have proven quite popular with the locals, even some being taken back home as pasalubong, or souvenir gifts. If it’s not obvious, Jo’s is well suited for Asian / Filipino taste buds.

Apple’s family has been in the Leyte region for generations, as is evident by the 90 year-old fountain on display in the garden. It was built by her great grandparents. She does quite a bit of community outreach as well, and is just a bright and cheery person in general. Stop by and check the place out!

Jo’s Chicken Inato Milagrina: 241 P. Burgos St. +63 53 832 2042

Canto Fresco Pizza (Italian Influenced)

Pizza is one of my guilty pleasures, and the best way to cure my homesickness when I’m out on the road. However, it’s not always easy to find decent pizza in the Philippines. Well, Canto Fresco goes well beyond decent pizza, in fact it’s quite gourmet. I was particularly interested in the Mozzarella Bites I saw on the menu…

Oh my, they really hit the spot. It’s so nice to nice to have legit pizza with authentic ingredients like this. I can’t remember name of the one I ordered, but I’ve never tasted anything like it. Very festive! Haha. Honestly, I enjoyed it, but the herb flavor they used could have been toned down a tiny bit. It was unique, but a bit overpowering.

(Photos – Canto Fresco)

The carafe of mixed fruit and vegetable juices was delicious! Very refreshing. I was hoping to find a menu online so I could specify all items, but no luck. Anyhow, the ingredients are fresh, pizza is homemade (and hand-tossed), and the indoor / outdoor seating atmosphere is rustic and charming. Very much recommended!

Canto Fresco: 279 Burgos St. +63 53 523 9085

 (Continued below, but I recommend Booking.com if you need a good hotel in Tacloban)

Highside Bar & Restaurant

How perfect is it to visit a motorcycle-themed restaurant during my motorbike trip around Leyte? Highside was born from a passion for riding, but also from the tragedy of typhoon Haiyan. I sat with a few of the owners, Jo Jo and Mal, and listened to their story.

Mal has quite a harrowing tale of loss and survival himself. After the storm, the old friends would gather to have drinks and perhaps try to cheer each other up. They only had each other, as their wives and remaining family members had been relocated to safer areas. Like thousands of other Taclobanons, they had lost so much. Their city was devastated. What to do now?

Well, you know the expression…when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. In their case, they rebuilt. Not only that, but they channeled their love of motorcycling into a restaurant business, and even repurposed the remnants of vehicles destroyed in the storm. These pieces were used to decorate the bar, along with some of their own complete motorcycles, which were left inoperable.

The guys told me that before, people were more timid to invest their money in new businesses, or to spend it around town having a good time. However, the storm taught them that you never know what will happen tomorrow, so you might as well enjoy today.

(Click photos for more info about Highside)

I’ll never forget Jo Jo telling me “Money could do nothing for us. During the storm, Taclobanons were all struggling together. ..regardless of their income or status. That storm leveled the playing field”. A powerful reminder of this sits right on the wall. It’s the hood and trunk of a fancy BMW, which completely washed away in the storm. Oil barrels are now creative lounge seating, Hummer tires serve as giant beer coasters.

Speaking of beer, this is the best place to make it happen. The food is excellent, too. While not a single dish let me down, I especially loved the spicy jalapeño “lumpia”, called “Dynamite”. It’s jalapeño, cheese, chili, and ground beef – wrapped up lumpia style, and served with a tangy sauce.

I have to give it to these guys, they have done a great job making the most of this truly unfortunate situation. They felt like brothers to me, and I hope to visit them in their popular hangout again someday.

Highside Bar & Restaurant Gomez St @ Paterno +63 917 504 9452

(continued below, but I do hope you’ll consider following along with me…)

HQ Food Park

While checking out the food stalls on Justice Romualdez Street, I met a guy who recommended a newly opened place south of town. It sounded familiar, and I realized I had passed it on my motorbike on the way to the MacArthur Landing site.

I came for an early dinner during the week (hence the smaller crowd). I imagine it gets pretty lively during the weekends. HQ is the first of its kind in Tacloban – a large food / gastro park, complete with drinks, darts,  and live music.

I love the graffiti mural of General MacArthur out front…due to its proximity to the landing site, that was a nice touch.

General MacArthur Graffiti & Grilled Pork Belly @ HQ

I found some super cheap and delicious liempo (pork belly) here…nice to have a kamayan dinner! That means you eat only with your hands. I loved that they serve the rice wrapped in coconut leaves…I think this is called puso in Cebu. Anyhow, HQ Food Park is open pretty late, and worth checking out!

HQ Food Park – Real St, Fatima Village

Cafe Lucia – Definitely Worth a Mention

This charming little cafe sits across from the Tacloban Astrodome. It serves delicious + affordable coffee and snacks. Really, I was impressed! Wish there were more places like it in the Philippines, and that I had more time to explore other menu options:)

Tacloban Hotels

(Agoda)

GV Hotel is a super cheap option right downtown. A good value, but you get what you pay for.

Ironwood Hotel is a classy place (more money, but still a great value). It has a very good reputation, with plenty of rave reviews.

(Booking.com)

If you prefer to use booking.com, check out more Tacloban City hotels here

How To Get There

Tacloban can be reached via boat or plane…but international flights must stop through larger cities like Manila and Cebu. Again, if you need transportation when you arrive at the airport, check out Haven’s Car & Motorbike Rental.

Thanks for the Memories, Tacloban

This city is now high on my list of favorites in the Philippines. The people, the culture, and the food left a lasting impression on me. Big, big thanks to all who made this trip possible: Canto Fresco team, Mal, Jo Jo, Apple, Krizette and Rhoel…keep on making Tacloban proud.

I took this photo of the sunset at Tacloban Port. One of my favorites from this trip, and a great way to wrap up this piece.

I Shall  Return…

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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The post A Tour of Tacloban City: Once Defined by Tragedy – Now, Ambition appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

  Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

Little India is quite vibrant and diverse – with people and cultures from all over India. Although not a morning person, for the sake of good lighting, I went on a few early photo walks with my Ricoh GR II.

This is the entrance to a temple which serves the northern Indian community. Also shown are the colorful buildings near “Kerbau Rd”. Kerbau means buffalo in Malay. This was a cattle trading hub years ago. Hard to imagine that, when you consider what a sleek and modern city Singapore is today.

The buildings on the streets of Little India certainly win the award for “most colorful” in Singapore…but this love of color also includes the clothes that locals wear. Never seeming to be content with a bland, white shirt, I think Indians have a great sense of style. The scene above has a bit of a yellow / orange theme.

Crowds in Tekka Food Center, Singapore

The shot below was taken on the way into Tekka Food Center, where I found my favorite Punjabi food. Perhaps I will let you know the name of the stall at a later date… In other words, you must follow along to find out!

Anyhow, the Ricoh kicked up the ISO quite high in the challenging light here, and I had to work to clean up the file a bit. Converting the photo to black and white helped.

By the way, it’s not just the market called Tekka. For instance, locals here call all of Little India “Tekka”. I was surprised to learn the name actually comes from the Hokkien Chinese word Tek Kia Kha, which means base of the bamboo. It was named after the plants found growing at nearby Rochor canal.

Apparently some Chinese stall owners in Tekka Centre even speak Tamil, and some Indians, Hokkien!

Here you see an old man riding his classic motorcycle with sidecar. Little India MRT is in the distance.

The People – Little India Street Photography

Next to Kerbau Rd is Buffalo Rd, and I find that a bit funny…though I guess it makes sense when you consider the Malay & British both lived in Singapore early on. Buffalo Rd attracts many shoppers looking to buy fruits, vegetables, as well as the hand woven flower garlands that are used by temple worshipers.

Along a side street, I also came across these workers unloading a truck. I was struck by the color blue everywhere, and wondered if it was done on purpose.

Just another striking splash of color…this time in red.

As I have shown, hitting the streets of Little India is perfect for making photo albums with a certain theme!
Most people shoot street in black and white with the Ricoh GR II. For me, it would be a shame to photograph a dazzling place like Little India in B & W. However, with its striking contrast, the scene below was just begging for it.

There are always a lot of people walking near Tekka Centre. The community hosts many bazaars and holy festivals here. In the distance you can see “Campbell Lane”, which reminds me of a street where I grew up in California. It’s basically as close as I can get to home right now, being on the other side of the world.

Below you’ll see more colorful shops and houses along Serangoon Rd. These streets seem to get more traffic than other places else in Singapore, though it’s still nothing compared to other Asian countries.

MRT Murals & Kerbau Rd

The Little India MRT is quite a busy station. Tourists come here from all over the world, because of the area’s cheap hostels. That, and the neighborhood’s vibrant tourist draws, of course!

(continued below, but please consider following along with me below…)

Don’t miss the giant murals painted on the walls near here.

It seems I mostly find south Indian food around the neighborhood, but from what I read, Punjabis, Tamils, and Bengalis all live and share their cultures here.

37 Kerbau Rd – A Vibrant, Iconic Neighborhood Landmark

Colorful buildings like this are hard to miss. Say hello to the Tan Teng Niah Residence, and although it’s Chinese, the colors seem to be quite Indian to me. This is certainly one of the most popular locations for Little India Street Photography.

Later, snapped this photo of a man riding his bike past the bus station. Thanks to the Ricoh GR II’s “snap focus” mode, obviously I never miss a shot.

FYI, you can check out my camera and accessories HERE

Ricoh is not a partner of mine, and I paid for this camera. However, you can help support me by using the product links on my pages. Thanks!

Here’s one last black and white shot to keep you “street tog” purists happy…

I really enjoyed this bright and cheery community. I always eat at Tekka when I stay in Singapore, and have made some good friends in the neighborhood there. This neighborhood is surely worth exploring!

In closing, I hope you enjoyed my Little India Street Photography series (other Singapore locations below). I’d love to hear your feedback…

Cheers.

1. Downtown (main page)
2. Chinatown
3. Little India
   

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Feel free to share.

The post Singapore Street Photography: Little India w/ Ricoh GR II appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

  Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

Singapore has an undeniably impressive city skyline. This is just part of it, but you can see the spiked dome of the Esplanade Theatre on the right. These Chinese tourists are taking refuge from the hot, tropical sun… I thought their pink umbrella matched the flowers on the left nicely.

Tourists come here from all over the world, and cross this bridge on the way to the famous “Merlion Statue”.

Without a doubt, the cheapest places to eat are the “hawker centres”. For three or four U.S. dollars, you can find street food from all over Asia, and even some western options as well. Here I photographed some international students having lunch @ Maxwell Food Centre.

Most of the building is blanketed by shade, but a skylight perfectly illuminated their table, and provided the opportunity for a dramatic photo. Of course, the Ricoh GR II handles contrast and black and white tones very well.

Ricoh GR II – The Perfect Candid Camera

With its genius “snap focus” mode, my Ricoh camera is lightning fast. I can shoot candid photos with ease…and this is great to truly capture the soul of the country I’m visiting. Overall, I’m after something real. Getting raw, unfiltered, moments of truth out there on city streets. Nothing plastic or posed.

In other words, we live in an age of photographic deception – and I find street photography to be a breath of fresh air.

My passion for this genre actually began when I stopped viewing people as “in the way”…and instead, challenged myself to start making them the focus of my work!

To be fair, though, Singapore is the least crowded of anywhere I’ve been in Asia. Plenty of wide open streets and sidewalks. As you can see, I like to shoot quite wide…I guess my landscape background shows. My style is a mix between the two.

More Downtown Singapore Street Photography

I love taking pictures of the diverse crowds around the iconic Merlion statue. This is ground zero for tourism in the country. It’s a lot of fun capturing the joy on everybody’s faces.

Here I snapped a quick photo of a tour group posing as I walked by. These ladies looked like so much fun. They really seemed to have a zest for life. (By the way, this photo was published in National Geographic Magazine!)

I love city shots in the late afternoon, just before the sun dips below the buildings. This sleek corridor was a great place for contrast and long shadows. The natural lighting provided a lot of dynamic interest. If you are wondering, the title image on this page was also shot here.

Here’s another shot of my favorite Korean ladies. I caught them mid conversation – with a nice cityscape backdrop…just before they disappeared into the shadows underneath Anderson Bridge.

(continued below, but I do hope you’ll consider following along with me…)

It was nice to find the contours of the bridge perfectly framing the skyline and tourists below it. As you may have guessed, downtown is one of the most versatile locations for Singapore street photography.

Talk about vibrant! The streets of nearby Chinatown are also a rewarding place to take pictures. This shot is from the entrance to “Buddha Tooth Relic Museum”.  The name is quite a mouthful, isn’t it?

FYI, you can check out this camera on Amazon HERE

(I am not a partner of Ricoh, but using these links will help me continue to produce content like this. Thanks!)

This shot was taken at Thian Hock Keng temple.

If you like these last few, be sure to check out more in part 2 of my series….you’ll see the link when you get to the end of this page.

“Native” Singaporeans have roots stretching back to many different countries. For example, most are Chinese, Malaysian and Indian. There are a fair share from Britain, Australia, and even the U.S. as well!

Exploring the streets and alleys of “Little India” really does transport you to another world. Part 3 of my Singapore Street Photography series explores this colorful neighborhood and community. It was also shot with the Ricoh GR II.

This is one my favorite pictures, and one that shows why the Lion City is such a “cultural melting pot”. Here you see the altar and pagodas of Tang Gah Beo temple…but with the contrast of a Catholic Church (St Teresa) in the distance.

In the next chapter of my Singapore street photography series, I explore the hustle and bustle of Chinatown in detail…

1. Downtown (main page)
2. Chinatown
3. Little India

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share.

* Update for 2025: The new version of this camera is out now! Check it out HERE

The post Singapore Street Photography: Soul of the City w/ Ricoh Gr II appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

  Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

Out the Window of a Double Decker

If you are lucky enough to get a front row seat on the upper level, you will have an elevated, panoramic view as you pass by some beautiful and historic Singapore landmarks. In the photo below you’ll find colorful Rochor Centre, which is actually scheduled for demolition sometime soon.

As you can see, up here you can sit directly behind the windshield. The driver is down below, so the view is 100% unobstructed. From this vantage point it kind of feels as if you are flying above the city streets.

Also, being up so high provides a unique perspective on everyday life in the city. As you are just on a commuter bus, you can observe the comings and goings on the streets below…and do so unnoticed.

Here you’ll find St. Andrew’s Cathedral, which is the largest in Singapore, and quite a prominent landmark.

Also note the subway commuters, as this is the City Hall MRT Station. I had to be quick to capture this picture…the trees block much of the view, and the bus passes this area quickly.

Below is the same location, but view of North Bridge Road & Peninsula Plaza (on the right).

Clean, Uncongested City Streets

Along with Tokyo, Singapore has some of the cleanest streets in Asia. However, what Singapore doesn’t have is the crowds. I remember when I first visited Singapore, I asked a local when rush hour was. They just laughed.

It is prohibitively expensive to own a car in Singapore, and in my opinion, that’s a very good thing. With hardly any traffic, Singapore is very efficient, and residents enjoy some of the best quality of life in the world.

Yes, fewer cars on the road means cleaner air…but also helping out in this department are the beautiful trees that can be found all over the city. Not only do they help to clean the air, but they shade and cool the landscape as well. When it comes to heat and humidity, Singapore, being right on the equator, could use all the help it can get.

Seriously, these stately trees are one of my favorite things about Singapore. These are even small compared to some of the giants I have seen while exploring the country. I’m so glad they incorporated all this green space into such a modern, metropolitan area. I hope to write more about this soon.

(continued below, but I do hope you’ll consider following along with me…)

Photos of the Bus Ride Through Chinatown

I “hovered” right through the heart of this historic district – where tradition and modernity collide.

Above you can see the base of The Pinnacle@Duxton, a 50 storey high-rise with the largest sky gardens in the world.

Below is the “Buddha Tooth Relic Temple“, which is not only incredibly striking, but also (clearly) wins the award for best named temple.

If you were wondering, yes, this photo was taken from the bus, too (you can see the window border in the upper left hand side). Hard to believe, but there really is a LOT to be seen on this route!

Church of St. Teresa – Further Down the Road

Seriously, could this bus commute get any more scenic?? St Teresa Church sits on a small, picturesque hill just beyond Chinatown.

Labrador Park MRT / Overhead Bridge

A few kilometers later I decided to get off the bus…though I do wonder what else I would have seen if I continued! Next time, I guess. I just walked around Labrador park and enjoyed the sunset before returning back to the city center.

A DIY “Commuter Tour”

So yes, if you’re ever in Singapore on a nice day, don’t hesitate to take one of these double decker buses! Sure, the SMRT train might be faster, but as you’ve seen above, you’ll miss out on a lot of colorful scenery on the way to your destination.

Again, every photo on this page was taken from a window seat on one of these buses.

(If you were wondering, these pictures were shot with a Ricoh GRII camera. It’s basically a DSLR that fits right in the palm of your hand.  You can check it out on Amazon…or if you’re in Asia, on Lazada. Using these links will find you a great deal, but also help me out…doesn’t cost you anything extra at all)

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share!

Related Links

RX100 Street Photography in Manila, Philippines

15 Jaw-Dropping Photos of the Philippines

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The post These Singapore Photos Were Shot During a 50-cent Bus Ride appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.