A dozen years later, I’m back in the city that doesn’t sleep. Hello again NYC! What was it like this time around? Bright lights all the way from uptown Manhattan all the way down to The Battery. It wasn’t so on the 2012 visit with Sandy’s “knockout” presence painting a dismal picture. Her arrival left much of the city, everywhere in Lower Manhattan south of 39th Street, power-less. The great divide was evident at nightfall and crossing 39thwas the gateway towards darkness or light, depending on which direction one’s heading. It was like a scene from an apocalyptic movie. However, the superstorm and its aftermath didn’t diminish the Big Apple’s delectability. I took my big bite of the city, never minding the hike down the 10th floor apartment and up to start and end a day. 

Not so on my recent visit. It was a quick climb up my fancy third floor room with a street view in a brownstone house in the Charlton–King–Vandam Historic District, where the largest cluster of Federalist and Greek revival style row houses can be found. I lived the Carrie Bradshaw lifestyle, or something like it, staying on the top floor of an iconic building in Hudson Square, Lower Manhattan. “She stayed in a pad. You have the entire house” said my host, Mylene C., who, like Carrie, collects shoes and scurries along the ground stoop in different heels daily. This was where my West Side –and beyond— stories took off.

Hudson Square is charming for a number of reasons and the list starts with the beautiful brownstones. The shopping, nightlife, food and art scenes are vibrant, and steps away from the front door, whether it’s within the area or the neighboring districts of Chelsea, SoHo, Greenwich and Tribeca.

Nearby home are great food choices, whatever the cuisine of preference. Here’s a couple: Dominique Ansel Bakery along Spring Street for a bite of the famed cronuts, DKA (Dominique’s Kouign Amann) and chocolate croissant for breakfast (because it sells out in a flash once doors open); and along the same street, have a drink and a bite of no-frills good burgers, pies or steaks in one of the oldest operating drinking establishments in NYC— the legendary Ear Inn, aka the James Brown House, a 1770-built Federal-style structure, home to the African aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. It was a riverside property back then with the Hudson River shoreline just five feet from its front door. Today, the waterway is a block away flanking the West Side Highway, a popular path for walking, running and biking.

Exploring the food scene farther, my high school girl friends took me to their favorite Chinatown resto, Hop Kee, where the waiter had to stop my host from ordering for more as it won’t fit the table for six; discovered good pasta in a quaint resto in Italian Town with my hosts Rob and Mylene; and with my Davao clique, feasted on delicious slabs of 28 oz. T- Bone Steak, a favorite among locals and celebrities, at 1977-established Knickerbocker Bar & Grill in the heart of Greenwich.

In this fascinating, ever-evolving city, “been there, done that” may just not apply. There’s always a new facet to whatever has caught the heart which makes one eager to see what it is (or maybe, one can never get enough of it). It’s a love affair that lasts forever. Hallelujah to the city’s public transportation system, reliving it—and creating new ones— is effortless. Just hop on the subway. I did and made my rounds: a relaxing stroll in Central Park at daytime and the High Line in the evening; to MoMA, to dive into modern art (I wish there was more time for MET and Whitney); Times Square at three minutes before twelve for the Midnight Moments, when art takes over the digital billboards (braved the windy winter night and voila! a computer glitch on the very evening I went); said my beaded prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; sipped coffee pairing it with Magnolia Banana Pudding on a sidewalk café by Rockefeller Center; viewed the holiday window displays of the luxury shops and the stacked giant luggage of a renovating Louis Vuitton flagship store along 5th Avenue; and checked out why the Vessel and the Oculus are viral on the net. Photogenic, yes, at least the latter has a useful purpose other than just picturesque.

While the subway was a big help in exploring, most often navigating through the city on foot was a preference –minus the aid of Google map. Not surprisingly I got lost, perhaps on purpose (though tiring in the end until I find my way back home) for I got to chance upon interesting areas, like Washington Square Park, a giant shiny bean sitting on a sidewalk along Tribeca, finding out after that it’s Anish Kapoor’s; and, bumping into NYC’s colorful characters like a cigarette-toting man with long fancy nails known as Marc Jacobs—just one of those days in the city. Would I have the same nonchalant reaction if it was Anna Wintour, I wonder. 

Perhaps this is why New York City makes the heart skip a beat. In the dynamic and ever-evolving city, it lives up to its name—that there’s always something new to see, new to experience waiting for those who visit. The list just keeps getting longer! The trip to the Big Apple was the shortest at three nights. I wasn’t able to do everything I needed and wanted to but the bite I took was fulfilling enough. I still said no to a Broadway show even if it was hosted (gasps, I hear). Perhaps next time. Meanwhile, the unticked boxes on my list will keep the heart in I❤️NY beating in me, a very good reason to head back to the city that doesn’t sleep. Soon.

How about you, what’s your NYC story?

Living in VisMin and flying out of the country? Make the Cebu airport your international gateway to the world and back home. Why? It’s way more convenient with its next door-walkable domestic-international connectivity, far less crowded, quicker immigration clearance than Manila’s. Plus, MCIA is far more aesthetically pleasing in- and outdoor, and passenger-friendly than any of the NAIA terminals today.

With the Cebu hub offering a good list of international carriers, non-Cebu residents may need a separate ticket for their domestic leg of the journey. If it’s not with the same airline, it’s best to plan well, especially if you have trust issues with local carriers having a reputation of “plane always late” or changing, if not cancelling, flight time moving it too close to your onward flight. It can be anxiety-inducing, truly. Best option? Arrive a day earlier. I would. I did. It relieves the stress of being late, or worse, missing the flight to the USA. 

What to do in Cebu in 24-hours or longer? Plenty. An airport hotel like Waterfront Airport Hotel can be the most convenient choice, but its sister property, Waterfront Cebu City hotel in the city center, is a smart choice for longer layovers. Here’s why. 

Convenience, comfort and location. Arrange for a hotel transfer and spare yourself of the hassle lugging luggage and hailing a cab to the city center. The efficient reception carries through check-in all the way to the comforts of a well-appointed, spacious room, onto the rest of your stay. No soiled clothes in the luggage, your day’s look can be freshly laundered, pressed and ready for the next OOTD abroad. Ring up housekeeping for this service. 

Dining out feels without leaving the hotel. Cebu City’s vast culinary offering is exciting, but you need not stray far to dive into the scene. There are three dining spots steps away from your hotel room. Along the Gourmet Walk of Waterfront Cebu are three specialty restaurants marked as favorites by the local foodies: Mizu (Japanese), Tin Gow (Cantonese and Szechuan) and La Gondola (Italian). It may be a challenge to enjoy the house specialties of these three given the limited time, but who says you can’t hop? A sukiyaki or sushi at Mizu, the Crispy Sweet & Sour Pork or Peking Duck at Tin Gow, a pizza or pasta dish at La Gondola, more at each stop if you have a hearty appetite (or you can always return to Cebu for another bout). Don’t forget the desserts! The Green Tea ice cream and the Gelatos are such great meal enders. 

Last minute pasalubong shopping. Admit it, you may have ticked your checklist for everything you need but there is always that nagging feeling that you forgot something to pack. Worry not, there’s a gift shop in the hotel, and a few steps across Waterfront will take you to the Central Bloc Mall. Gifts? Extra clothing? Local delicacies? Toiletries and meds? Find it there. 

Have a nightcap before calling it a night. A Gin Tonic or freshly brewed coffee can make for a good nightcap at the Lobby Lounge. Under the iconic world map painting is a good spot to relax and people watch while enjoying a drink. 

Load up before a long trip. Have a hearty breakfast at Cafe Uno if you have a morning flight. Cafe Uno’s breakfast spread will have a local dish that will that you’ll miss abroad, like a bowl of hot Champorado (chocolate rice porridge) paired with Danggit (local dried fish), or Taho (fresh silken tofu, tapioca pearls with brown sugar syrup). Lucky you if your flight is after lunch, you can have more of the house specialties of Waterfront’s Gourmet Walk restaurants. 

Now freshen up in your room and head to the airport. 

Fly Starlux Airlines thru Cebu's Mactan City International Airport. 

Flown Starlux Airlines yet? You should. The new Taiwanese Airline, serving Cebu, has a fleet of A350 aircraft which has configurations of 1-2-1 on Business Class, 2-4-2 on Premium Economy and 3-3-3 on Economy Class. The last, perhaps, making it the most convenient and spacious seat set-up among the long haul aircrafts. I can attest to it. Plus, getting an exit row seat, the 50 B, C, H, or J will offer the best legroom in the section. It may entail additional cost but it’s still far more economical (by half) than a Premium Economy seat (and I will sit in this section on my next trip). The Cebu-Taipei utilizes A321NEO with all seats having inflight entertainment systems. 

Starlux offers the lowest rate among other airlines at a recent seat sale. The Cebu-SFO/LA-Cebu via Taipei fare is around US$750, add the DVO-CEB-DVO plus baggage allowance via PAL, the total still is the cheapest among the airlines on the list. Like I said above, make sure you have ample time in between flights. Stay a night in Cebu if you must. 

Enjoy the new planes, comfortable seats, good food, yes, in-flight entertainment (not on iPad!) with a long list of movie titles, and the restrooms are constantly kept clean and smelling good by the crew all 11 to 14 hours long.

Going to Taipei? is Beitou in your itinerary? If it is, stay longer in the district than a quick day trip. A night or perhaps two. There's more to the place to explore than the hot springs it's recognized for.

Taipei. Search it once and the algorithm of the city’s best via the eyes of its creators will roll. Is Beitou in it? Perhaps it is, but chances are it’s for a day trip because of its easy accessibility from the city via MRT and bus service. But let me share why you should stay longer than a few hours.

Beitou is a charming district north of the bustling city. It’s a delightful destination at any time of year. Spring brings in the cherry blossoms, Summer dresses the valleys in its verdant hue, the mountains call in the hikers to tread its paths, the rivers become race tracks for dragon boats and the wetlands become a stage for birds, and come Autumn it turns the scenery into fields of gold, orange and red. But its popularity peaks when temperatures drop, when the warming and healing qualities of thermal springs and mineral baths are most sought after. The last is what Beitou is best known for.

It was during the Japanese Occupation when the hot springs were discovered and a public bathhouse was built, the largest of its kind in East Asia. With this attraction, tourism and business flourished, even the unique Taiwanese cuisine came about, it was said. 

Walking the narrow streets of inner Beitou is such a treat.The scene is relaxed, unhurried, devoid of the crowd, unlike many of Taipei’s popular areas. Quaint family-owned shops stand alongside new businesses. Streets will lead you to parks, like Beitou Fuxing Park, where a hot spring foot-soaking pool awaits to relieve tired soles—at no cost—egging you to explore farther and visit the birthplace of Taipei’s first “onsen” in the Hokoto Stream (now Beitou Stream). Today, the once Hokutō Public Bathhouse is the Beitou Hot Spring Museum whispering stories of the past along its halls and dipping pools. Beside it is the Beitou Library rising with pride with its impressive eco-friendly architectural features that earned its accolade as Taiwan’s first certified Green Building. A little farther is the breathtaking Beitou Thermal Valley blanketed by sulfuric steam all year round.

Exploring new paths for some time, the aroma and flavor of food will be the sweet, pacifying music to the growling gut. There is no shortage of restaurants and neighborhood eateries in the area, a few may even surprise you with the distinguishing red marks bearing a star, the Michelin Man licking his lips, or a recommendation. Peng Lai is acknowledged by Michelin for its good cooking. It would be when pork ribs are marinated for 20 hours before deep-frying to crispy-on-the-outside-tender-on-the-inside goodness. That’s just one among the many delectable dishes on the menu. You will crave for a second or even a third bout in this place. For that reason, among others, you will need a home base in Beitou. Let me point you to Aloft Beitou hotel.

Hop on a bus at the corner or take a quick walk to any of the two MRT stations, Aloft Beitou’s location makes it easy to tour the district and beyond it—after a recharging to full bar in the hotel’s unique urban-chic hotel retreat. Aloft room decor is sleek and vibrant, and fitted out with thoughtful amenities, plus, it captures the impressive views of the Beitou District and the mountain range beyond from its picture windows. It’s where you can plot your next destination in the neighborhood from.

Before heading out, power up with the hip hotel’s tasty delights. The sumptuous breakfast at Nook will delight you with authentic local dishes alongside the international fare. But if you’re I a rush, grab a gourmet treat and a cappuccino from the self-service grab-and-go pantry and make it in time for the scheduled bus or train to the day’s destinations.

Hike trails, discover hot springs and sulfur deposits, have a selfie with Qixing, Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano, and a few things you can do to be one with nature, these you can do with a visit to the Yangmingshan National Park, which is accessible from your home base via a quick drive.

Towards day’s end, make your way down South to Shilin Market, just when the Night Market is stirring to wakefulness. You get first dibs on the popular bites minus the long queues, especially at the Michelin Bib Gourmand stamped Chung Chia Sheng Jian Bao, a long-standing stall that sells pan-fried buns with pork or cabbage fillings. The buns have crispy bottoms and fluffy tops. Just around the corner is another Bib Gourmand restaurant, the Good Friend Cold Noodles, serving an elevated version of simple noodle dishes.

Exhausted? A day well spent deserves a cocktail. Wind down and have a drink at Aloft’s W XYZ(SM) Bar and bob your head to the beat of the music, and perhaps meet new friends who can share travel tips of their own.

But before heading up to your room to recharge for the night, take a stroll around the residential area beside the hotel. The neighborhood is peaceful at night, a few home-based businesses may still be open to welcome guests —a couple of restaurants, a therapist— or grab a Japanese brand ice cream at the convenience store. It’s such a treat. 

Did I take a dip in any of the hot springs? As much as I’m a big fan of “onsens,” I have to forgo a healing soak on this visit. It’s summer in Taipei, hot and humid. However, expect me to be back in this area come cold season. Beitou is beautiful. 

It took a while but there I was, finally. The closest I got to this city, Japan's second city and the central business hub of west of the nation, was Kyoto, and that was almost good eight years ago. It could have been a quick train ride to the place. Why didn't I? Kyoto was too exciting that I wanted to bask in its beauty until the last minute of the trip. And then, I stepped inside the :kitchen".....

A port and commercial city in Honshu Island that became one of the most visited destinations in Japan today. Welcome to Osaka. What draws in the tourists? Undeniably, food tops the list. It’s not known as the culinary capital of Japan for nothing. From food stalls to Michelin starred restaurants and everything in between, Osaka’s food culture is something to dig into. This gave birth to the expression “kuidaore,” which translates to “spending on food (also applies to fashion) until you go bust,” or “to eat until you drop.” Ironically, the proof that one is in Osaka is not a photo of any of the popular fares—takoyaki, beef, yakitori or ramen—as these are also served throughout Japan. What is it? The shining beacon of the Dotonbori Canal, the Glico Man! 

As often as I go to Japan during the cool seasons, my destinations have always been Tokyo and Kyoto since the first visit in 2009. Osaka has never called out to me. Until now. I wanted to take a peek at what the “tenka no daidokoro” (the nation’s kitchen) has to offer. What else does it have? I want to see the city from above and on the ground, immersing myself in the Kansai culture. More importantly, where should a first timer stay? 

Aside from the cuisine, Osaka also has the nightlife and cherry blossoms, art, architecture, and historical sites, and not to forget the vital facet that makes Osaka truly enticing— its accessibility. From the international airport direct to the city center and on to the neighboring prefectures, the connection can make the most out of the trip from this city: to Nara, for the bowing deers and the world's largest bronze Buddha; Kyoto, for its geishas, bamboo forest, vermilion torii gates, and World Heritage Sites; Kobe City in Hyogo, for the signature marbled beef and onsen towns; Wakayama, home to beautiful beaches; Hiroshima and its savory okonomiyaki and anago, and memorial site; and all the way to capital city. These places are easy to reach, within a short period of time, via one of the busiest train stations in Japan, the Namba Station, host to railway terminals JR, Kintetsu, Nankai, Hanshin, and three Osaka Metro subway lines. 

This direct access is amped a level higher as these stations take you to a most engaging pastime—shopping. Hop off the train and enter the doors of Namba Village, an extensive shopping area consisting of two large scale complexes where Takashimaya Department Store is part of. Steps away are the dreams Osaka’s TikTok universe are made of—jiggly cheesecakes, steaming hot ramen and yakitori, designer vintage boutiques, Don Quijote, cosmetic shops—everything about Osaka’s cuisine, the nightlife and more shopping areas, from the backstreets of Namba to Dotonbori and beyond the Nipponbashi Bridge. 

Now, imagine living above this train station at the center of Osaka’s vibrant district. It’s like having your own garage in the basement with the Shinkansen and the subway cabs as your chauffeured rides, and the initial trip of a first timer transports them from the international airport straight to the hotel’s doorstep. Convenient, strategic and apprehension-free. Picture this hotel as home in Osaka, a luxurious one with five stars stamped by its name, a hotel like Swissotel Nankai Osaka. This was my home base, it can be yours, too. 

This premium deluxe hotel towering above the Namba Station is special beyond the convenience of its location. Swissotel Nankai Osaka champions Japanese sensibilities and its renowned Swiss hospitality. Two worlds sharing a common creed in putting forward exceptional quality, efficiency, punctuality and respect for tradition in hospitality and service. I say, this was evident during my stay, experiencing today’s Japan within its walls. 

Housed in the skyscraper are 546 posh rooms and suites thoughtfully designed for every traveler. It fuses Japanese aesthetics with modern appointments to emit a sense of place in this contemporary time. Japanese-inspired wooden details tastefully adorn the room, including a screen that unveils a panoramic view of the dynamic city as it stirs at dusk and dons dazzling lights past Golden Hour. Impressive? The top level of the 147meter-high structure, one of Osaka’s tallest, offers a more breathtaking vista. On the 36th floor, where the restobar is designed with wrap-around picture windows, I devoured the view of the metropolis for breakfast and sipped it at cocktail hour. With the good food, spirits, privacy and luxury this spot offers, I saw no need to queue at any of the observation decks in the city. See Osaka from above— checked. 

Like the view, dining in this tower is elevated, literally and figuratively, in its six restaurants, with cuisines that can please the most discerning palates. What Osaka can offer on ground, Swissotel can offer at an altitude—Oriental, continental and most especially the authentic local cuisine including Osaka’s popular kushiage. The two Japanese restaurants, Hana-Goyomi and Minami, took me to other prefectures on a plate, specialties that featured locally-sourced, farm fresh ingredients at the peak of its season—marbled beef that’s so tender to the bite, freshly caught seafood tasting sweet on the palate, organic grains and vegetables that are crisp, clean and bright—which the Japanese chefs and sushi masters incorporate in their ever-changing seasonal menus, elevating the Japanese Teppanyaki and Kaiseki dining experience. And the sweet stuff? Japanese confections are never too sweet and the pastry chef lives up to the tradition. Just like the savories, pastries are created by what the current season yields, which keeps the Gourmet Shop fans curious on what the chef will whip up next. Exquisite Japanese food—checked. 

From minding Japanese dining etiquette to shaking off the formality on the same floor, Nambar10 is a uniquely-designed social venue inspired by Den Den Town, Dotonbori and Amerikamura, reflecting the dynamic, vibrant and quirky city of Osaka. The bar took me to a nostalgic trip to the era when arcade games, mirrored balls and disco dance floors were the hottest items. On special events, the rainbow flag waves and drag queens take to the stage to the crowd’s delight. 

I took my sweet time exploring Osaka, just one or two sites a day. From my home base, everything on my list was a train or subway ride away: Nara and its World Heritage Sites, the luxury shopping avenue of Mido-suji in Shinsaibashi and high-end malls of Umeda, Nakanoshima Museum of Art. At night, I chose to explore the areas on foot, peeking at popular and gate-kept eateries, bars and boutiques from the busiest passages to the back alleys of Namba, Dotonburi and Shinsaibashi. Historic sites, local-favorite ramen and takoyaki tourist crowd-free restos, and Japanese designer brand shopping—checked. 

Spent after hours of exploration, this exhausted soul and sole needed a treat. There was no need to step out and head far for a soothing time in an onsen. The hotel’s Japanese bath, a satisfying alternative, did the trick. This, along with the sauna, spa and indoor swimming pool, is on the floor entirely dedicated for health and wellness. It’s an Eden for relaxation. 

Japanese-styled accommodations, Japanese bath, Japanese cuisine. Swissotel Nankai Osaka is a place to experience local lifestyle and hospitality in a modern setup. May I call it a sky-high modern-day ryoka with a touch of Swiss flair? 

Five days is never enough whenever I visit any of the Japanese cities, the same applies on this first visit to Osaka. Seven days is the least number on a usual visit to immerse myself in one place. Admittedly, I will never be a TikTok superstar who can create an impressive summary of numerous spots in just three days. I salute those who can. But this old traveler still prefers to take it slow and breathe in the essence of Kansai with every step. I lived it well on my first visit to Osaka, and true, this “kitchen” is exciting in more ways than the cuisine. A second trip? I will bite at it!