COUNTERLOCKWISE: The Time Traveler at Asakusa KannonTemple

Due to our vivid and overactive imagination, some of us wish to travel in time. Ride in a time machine like Doraemon and go back to the past or explore the future. 

However, there is a place I know where the past meets the present.

Be a time traveler like me at the Asakusa Kannon Temple in Japan!

Five-storied Pagoda, built in 942

Various Buddhist temples and statues can be seen.

 

Hōzōmon 宝蔵門

 

These 5.45-metre-tall statues represent Niō, the guardian deity of the Buddha.

The Dragon Fountain

Although Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, they still manage to preserve their old customs and belief as manifested in the temples of Asakusa.

YES!: The Intramuros Escapade

Trapped in a place surrounded by walls? Seems scary right? But the walled city in Manila would surely flip your terrifying feeling upside down..

Welcome to Intramuros!

It is a stronghold relic of Philippine history. Beneath its walls are the classic architectural design of buildings, churches and houses which have been preserved.

Actually, it is my first time to visit this place.  That is why I seized the opportunity of making memories and taking pictures in this place.

  

I am amazed because in every street that we’ve passed through, there are vestiges of the Spanish era. 

These are the photos of some places you could visit inside the walled city:

  

In my Intramuros escapade, I learned many things that I definitely want to share with you!

First, travel on foot. Feel every floor bricks. Don’t be lazy! It gives you an authentic feeling of traveling. 

Second, bring an umbrella. Because of the diverse weather condition it is important to have this as your buddy.

Lastly, travel with friends! They will make your journey extraordinary.

Photos by: Kirsten Portugueza

And now after a blissful journey, it’s time to indulge yourself with delicious food.

Fresh Vegetable roll

Interested on how it is done? Here’s how:

 INGREDIENTS:
1/2 lb pork, thin strips
1/2 cup singkamas, strips
1/2 cup carrots, julienned
4 gloves garlic, crushed
1 medium onion, sliced
salt to taste
cooking oil
lettuce leaves
1/2 cup ground or crushed peanuts for garnishing
wrapper

LUMPIANG SARIWA FILLING:

• Saute garlic and onion.
• Add the pork strips. Cook until color turns light brown.
• Add seasonings and singkamas. Cook until tender.
• Addcarrots. Cook for 3-5 minutes. 
• Add salt to taste. Cook for 3 minutes.  
• Remove from heat. Cool down before wrapping

LUMPIANG SARIWA SAUCE:

• In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. 
• Add pork cube, brown sugar, soy sauce and a dash of salt.
• Add the diluted cornstarch. 
• Cook until the sauce becomes thick.

Assemble the ingredients, then that's it. You can have your own homemade Lumpiang Sariwa!

It had been a wonderful journey. If you would ask me if Intramuros is worth visiting the second time around.. My answer is a BIG YES!