Have you ever tried these local dishes in Macau?

Macau is more than just a casino city. It’s also a place where East met West over 400 years ago to produce the world’s first fusion food: Macanese cuisine. A unique blend of both Chinese and Portuguese ingredients and cooking techniques, here are 9 of the tastiest Macanese dishes to try on your next visit.

Minchi

Minchi is a signature Macanese dish. Comfort food at its best, combining minced beef with diced potatoes stir-fried with onions, and seasoned with Worcestershire sauce. It’s often topped with a fried egg and served with a side of steaming white rice. Minchi is a household favorite in Macau, but you can also find it on the menu at several Macanese restaurants in town. Try local canteen-style restaurant Riquexo.

Tacho

This Macanese take on a traditional Portuguese slow-cooked stew is a veritable feast of both European and Asian elements in one. Combining cabbage, with cuts of ham, pork and Chinese meats, including cured sausages and duck, it’s a warming winter stew that is true Macanese soul food. Try it at Restaurant Carlos.

Capela

Capela is a Macanese-style meatloaf. This popular family-style dish consists of beef, pork, chorizo, bread and olives. It’s topped with crispy bacon slices and grated cheese.

African chicken

Considered the quintessential Macanese dish, African chicken is essentially a Macanese take on chicken curry. Created by a local Macau chef in the 1940s, using spices he obtained from trips to Africa, it’s become a staple dish at local restaurants. It’s a moreish combination of chicken baked in a rich sauce made of peanuts, tomato, grated coconut, red pepper, a little chili, and sometimes a touch of paprika.

See more: African chicken, the Macau's national dish

Pork chop bun

Sometimes referred to as ‘the Macanese version of a hamburger’. This signature Macanese snack combines a succulently marinated pork chop wrapped in a warm, chewy bun. Sun Ying Kei specializes in this Macanese specialty.

Braised pork in tamarind shrimp sauce

Another mouthwatering example of Macanese fusion cooking is stewed tamarind pork. A slow-cooked pork stew coated in a rich Macanese shrimp paste sauce. The sauce is a careful balance of sweet, sour and spicy flavors. It blends dried shrimp, brandy, salt and pepper, chilies and bay leaf.

Salted cod fritters (Pasteis de Bacalhau)

These delicious golden brown croquettes, filled with salted cod, mashed potato, onion, egg and parsley, are a staple of Portuguese and Macanese menus. Crunchy on the outside and creamily soft on the inside, they can be served either hot or cold. Try them at O Santos, a local Portuguese restaurant in Taipa Village.

Macanese chili prawns

Also known as gambas à Macau, Macanese chili prawns are stuffed with garlic, red chili, shallot and parsley before being fried and finished with a white wine and garlic sauce.

Macau egg tart

Arguably the city’s most famous snack, Macau egg tarts continue to sell quicker than proverbial hotcakes. Based on the Portuguese pastéis de nata and given a local spin, they combine crispy crème brulée tops, flaky pastry crusts and delicious egg custard centers. Best served fresh from the original Lord Stow’s Bakery, located in the heart of Macau’s Coloane Village.

Source Internet

Best Asia destinations for your honeymoon

Honeymoon destinations in Asia offer some of the most beautiful scenery and memorable experiences for far less money than Hawaii or Fiji. Whether you prefer quiet beach time or cultural adventures, you won't be disappointed with any of these top five honeymoon destinations in Asia.

Bali, Indonesia

Not much of a surprise that Bali, Indonesia's most touristed island, is also one of the top spots in the world for a honeymoon. Just the mention of Bali conjures exotic images of volcanoes and private beaches. Although the island does get busy in the summer months, you can escape the crowds to romantic beach villas and eco-friendly hideaways surrounded by green rainforests.

More of a party scene, the popular Kuta beach isn't exactly romantic. Instead, head for one of the other beaches in South Bali such as Sanur, Legian, or Seminyak. Once you've had enough beach time, you'll find peace, a great vibe, and plenty of green scenery in Ubud, Bali's cultural center.

The Thai Islands

Thailand boasts some of the most beautiful and accessible islands in the world and with the best tourist infrastructure in Southeast Asia, you won't have to worry about the hassles of travel in Thailand interfering with your time together. The Thai islands, both on the Andaman side of the country and in the Gulf of Thailand, are ​well suited for romantic getaways.​

If you prefer small islands, have a look at tiny Koh Lipe on the Phuket side of Thailand. Otherwise, consider Koh Lanta, Koh Samui, or some of the quiet bays dotted around the north of Koh Phangan, especially the famous Sanctuary health retreat. If things get a little too quiet on the island, you can always take a boat to Haad Rin to dance until sunrise with your partner!

Malaysian Borneo

There is simply no other way to put it: Borneo is a nature lover's paradise. One of only two places left in the world to see wild orangutans, you can divide your time in Borneo between searching for wildlife on rainforest treks, exploring waterfalls in national parks, and lying on undeveloped beaches. Flights to Borneo from Kuala Lumpur are cheap, often even up to the last minute!

Borneo is divided into two states, Sarawak and Sabah, that are separated by the independent country of Brunei. Sarawak is quieter, cheaper, and less busy than the northern state of Sabah, while East Sabah boasts incredible scuba diving and natural attractions. You'll find plenty of wild beauty and friendly local culture in both places.

Sri Lanka

Although Sri Lanka off the southern coast of India doesn't receive nearly as much attention as its neighbor to the north, the islands there rank among the best honeymoon destinations in Asia! Great spicy curry, friendly people, an interesting culture, and a much more relaxed atmosphere lure more and more travelers each year. A honeymoon in Sri Lanka is both an affordable and unique way to start a new life together.

The Maldives

Not far from India, the island nation known as the Maldives is Asia's smallest country, both by population and land mass. A lack of space doesn't stop the Maldives from attracting an estimated 600,000 annual tourists who come to take advantage of the incredible island beauty and world-class scuba diving. Floating bungalows and honeymoon resorts set on some of the bluest water you have ever encountered will make you and your new spouse want to stay forever.

Male is the capital, largest city, and usual port of entry for visiting the Maldives. While the beauty of the islands is breathtaking, a honeymoon in the Maldives will cost significantly more than one in the Thai islands.

See more: 5 best resorts for your honeymoon in Thailand

Source: Internet

The non-beach vacations you should try in Philippines

There is a huge world out there with lots of cultures to discover, cuisines to taste and people to meet. You have probably heard all about Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia but how about the Philippines? Do you want to experience a vacation without beaches in Philippines? Here is the list of some destinations you should visit.

Baguio: The valley of colors, a haunted house and a sea of clouds

Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines. It often sees a surge in visitors both at the hottest periods of the year, as well as at the coldest. It is a popular destination for Filipinos, especially during the Christmas season. You will never really run out of things to do in Baguio, but here are some honorable mentions for your next visit.

Drop by the municipality of Trinidad to catch Baguio’s latest attraction, the valley of colors. These beautifully painted houses are a feast for the eyes and are perfect to put up on your ‘Gram. After you have gotten the shot, head over to La Trinidad Strawberry Fields nearby. Kids will love this as visitors are welcome to pick as many strawberries as they wish.

If you are looking to experience the culture of Baguio, visit Tam-Awan Village where you can view Ifugao huts and Kalinga houses. These huts and houses mimic life in a traditional Cordillera village. Here, visitors can interact with local Ifugaos, and maybe even get a self-portrait sketched by them.
For those looking for a unique experience with the supernatural, visit the Laperal White House. The Laperal White House is said to be one of the most haunted destinations in Baguio. Today, it is a museum hosting beautiful artworks and spirits.

Banaue: rice terraces

There are a few rice terraces you can visit in Banaue such as Batad, Bangaan, Hapao Mayoyao or Nagacadan. The most iconic rice terrace to visit is Batad Rice Terraces, recognised by UNESCO.
The Awan-Igid-Pula-Cambulo Trek is perfect for the seasoned hiker looking for a challenge. This hike is a strenuous one, usually tackled over the duration of two days, with an overnight stay in either Pula or Cambulo.

The hike from Awan-Igid to Pula can be completed between four to six hours, cutting through jungles and passing by Ifugao residences. It takes another two to three hours to get to Cambulo from Pula. It is important to note that the intensity of this trail guides are mandatory.

Tagaytay: Taal Volcano, Sonya’s secret garden and an Amusement Park in the Sky

Tagaytay is a popular destination for visitors who are only beginning to discover the beauty of the Philippines. Just a two-hour drive from the airport, Tagaytay is the perfect getaway from the scorching heat in Manila.

Start off your trip with brunch at Sonya’s Secret Garden. Like its namesake, Sonya’s Secret Garden is hidden from the main road but is definitely worth the search. It boasts lush greenery, blooming florals and rich crops, crops of which usually end up on your plate. Sonya’s Garden serves organic dishes buffet style, comprising of both western and local delicacies.

If the thrill of climbing up an active volcano still does not quite satisfy the adrenaline junkie within, pay a visit to Sky Ranch where you can relive your childhood. Here, you can find classic amusement park rides like roller coasters, ferris wheels, bumper cars and even a zipline. For aerial views of the beautiful Taal Lake, hop onto the Sky Cruiser and pedal your way across an aerial track.

Source Tripzilla