The Green Pastures Experience

          So yeah I know I've been MIA from blogging these past few months, I'am trying to write a separate blog about it but I'am still thinking if I'd publish it because its totally non food / travel related. 😷. Soon, maybe? 😳 Sorry for not posting that much for the people who regularly checks out my blog ( Hi Mom! 😆 ) Please check out my Instagram account: @OhhMyGeeItsMe as I sort of regularly updtate that thru IG Stories, Follow me! 😁

          Writing this blog ilicits a little bitter sweet feeling for me as this was my last #Saturdate foodie trip, I am changing RD from Sat - Sun to Mon -Tue. Daaang this feels weird. I've had the Sat - Sun off for years! So for now I am saying goodbye to a "Quality" #Saturdate hashtag 😧. But I guess its sooo much fun to go out on a weekday because there's not a lot of people in restaurants and beaches and them weekday rates too! 😏 I guess I would just have to make the most out of it. 'Nuff bout that long intro! 😁

          So for my post birthday dinner celebration we headed to Green Pastures at Shangri-La Plaza Mall by Chef Robby Goco, he is also the chef behind my fave Greek Restaurant, Cyma Greek Taverna and some other concept restaurants like Charlie’s Grind and Grill and Souv. Green Pastures serves organic food fresh from farm-to-table concept in a modern farm house interior restaurant The servers are dressed in their plaid polos but they recently changed it to I think it was something floral, the server's name also starts with Betty, Mary, Joe and Bob to complete that farm house concept. They're famous for their DIY Salad Bar (Which I haven't tried yet 😧) and all of their produce are sourced locally. I decided to go healthy and organic after pigging out on my birthday with an eat-all-you-can bacon party because YOLO. I felt so guilty after I had to look for something healthy after. (read it here).

Green Pastures facade at Shangri-La Plaza Mall

The open kitchen

Real indoor plants in the restaurant

          For starters I would highly recommend the Duck You! - Duck fat fries, duck skin chicharon, duck confit served with a vinegar spritzer, everything just meshed well together, I just had to blurt out Duck you diet after! haha 😁

         

Duck You!
(Php 235)

Duck fat fries, duck skin chicharon, duck confit, wtd?

          Gotta love em house made cheeses! I've never had a Burrata before and I've always thought that it would look something like this in the picture below:

Buratta with its man bun 😁 

but this one from Green Pastures was so good with those strawberries which was perfectly paired with their homemade toast! Down side is they don't have a complementary seconds for the bread you have to buy them. The bread slices in this serving was just not enough.. for me. hehe 😁

Burrata

(Php 430)

Mt. Atok organic strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, basil oil

Roasted Tomato and Straciatella Toast

(Php 240)

Arugula, lemon oil, flaky sea salt

KFC - Korean Fried Cauliflower

(Php 230)

Soy garlic glazed, housemade sriracha mayo

          I just love how the Mykons Salad had that fresh and clean taste. I love everything in it. Oh Chef can you please add more of those pita chips please 😁 This is one of my favorites here.

Mykonos
(Php 440 - small)

Romaine, lemon shrimp, feta cheese, red grapes, chickpeas, pita chips, cucumber yogurt dressing

All' Amatriciana

(Php 460)

Housemade passato, pancetta, red onions, chili flakes, pecorino, buccatini

Shank and Marrow Bolognese

(Php 610)

Grass-fed, parmigiano reggiano, pappardelle

Tequila Joe's Organic Beef Sloppy Cow

((Php 560)

Oyster jus, mushroom glace and garlic bulgur

          Oh I just cant end my dinner without dessert even if I was sooo full hehe 😁 I left a little space for my favorite part of the meal! You must try their Endorphin Rush Bar, it was sooooo good! The Chocolate cover ice cream and that warm hot caramel sauce is just enough to release Endorphins in my body. Woooh Sarap! 😍😋

Endorphin Rush Bar

(Php 250)

Housemade brownies, vanilla ice cream, Malagos farm chocolate coating, hot caramel sauce. Be Happy!

          My top 3 favorites so far from this restaurant would be:

1. Duck You!

2. Mykonos

3. Shank and Marrow Bolognese - This dish was so good, I was kidding B that I can even eat it with rice! Carbs overload! haha 😋

Their sugarcane lemonade was also refreshing and also try their Local Organic Citrus in Season. I love how this restaurant supports local produce and organic products. The feeling after the meal was just awesome as the experience itself was. I will definitely go back to try their other house made cheeses and the DIY Salad Bar.

*This is not a sponsored post.

IG: ohhmygeeitsme

Facebook: /OhMyGeeItsMe

Green PasturesGreen Pastures
Shangri-la Plaza Mall
4/F Shangri-la Plaza Mall, East Wing, Shaw Blvd
Wack Wack, Mandaluyong

My first camping experience at Fortune Island

          Fortune Island was a Greek inspired beach club opened in 1995 but is now an abandoned island surrounded by pristine water. The island is located in Batangas province in the Philippines. The 27-hectare island lies about 14 kilometers off the coast of Nasugbu in Batangas.

          This would be my second attempt to get to this island the first time we had to retreat because the water was really rough and it was hard for the boat to get to the island. The second attempt I went solo and joined a group formed by Byaherang Barat. She just placed a public event invite and I just joined. I was hesitant for a bit as this would be my first time to join a group. There's actually a lot of first on this trip:

• First time to experience camping
• First time to use my own GoPro Hero 4
• First time to use a tent which of course I didn't know how to set up

          Plus the factor that the island didn't have a restroom bothered me a lot, but I thought to myself "What the heck let's do this and get this off my bucket list!" :)
I was so used to just being a solo traveler and I'm not really good at striking a conversation with a stranger (I'm working on it! ^_^} but nonetheless I had fun and met a few friends and acquaintances.This trip is definitely one for the books.

          I'm glad that the weather was good that time and we were able to reach our destination safely. But I warn you the waters are really rough around the Island that sometimes the boats cant dock near the island so you would have to walk/swim your way to get to the island, In my case, I walked, lol. (Pro Tip: Bring your aqua shoes and secure your backpacks / bags in a garbage bag)

          As I mentioned this is the first time I will be using my GoPro Hero 4 so you'll have to forgive my shots because its mostly me in the pics :) I'll also share our itinerary below as I try to recall it.
 

Off we go to Fortune Island ^_^

The Crew ^_^

Touchdown Fortune Island White sand and clear waters <3

Who goes to the beach in dress and leggings >_<
Hehe I just got off work and went straight to the meeting place I didn't have time to change.
The waves were strong and kept splashing water in our boat. We all got wet during the trip and walking to campsite with heavy clothes was tiring.
[Credits to Nigel A.]

Our Campsite

The first time ever I used a tent, I met someone within the group that helped me out ^_^ Yey! Thanksie ^_^

The Beach <3

Sunrise

           I guess its better to go here on a weekday, there's a huge crowd during the time we got there and it was on a summer weekend, The top part where the Greek style columns are, is just a little space and it can get too crowded, Best time to go there would be early morning where everyone is still asleep ^_^. You should also have a talent in taking pictures, getting that perfect angle even if the crowd is almost occupying every scenic space there is. Lian told me that the night time was awesome as it was full of stars, too bad I dozed off early, just a little after dinner since I came from work straight to this trip and still haven't had any sleep. Bit of disappointed that I missed that but there may still be a next time for me in this beautiful island ^_^.

One for the books. 😊 #WanderingGee #SoloTravel #Joiner #FortuneIsland

Traveling solo does not always mean you’re alone. Most often, you meet marvelous people along the way and make connections that last a lifetime

Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero

An adventure may be worn as a muddy spot or it may be worn as a proud insignia. It is the woman wearing it who makes it the one thing or the other

Hi ^_^

 

I seriously wanted to do a pictorial here with a pretty dress or gown, but since I was not traveling with friends, I didn't have the guts to.. but I think my sarong did just fine ^_^

The infamous Greek inspired columns of Fortune Island

Early morning with Byaherang Barat Grezel, Gladys and Lian

Dinner prep with the ihaw gang

Baymax soaking the sun ^_^

The view <3

Dinner prep

          For dinner we grilled some liempo and talong. Most of the people in the group are Mountaineers who brought along their cooking set. Before heading to the Island we went to a local market to get the stuff we needed. Ice and water were provided by the resort where we rented the boat that would take us to Fortune Island.

Fun under the sun

I should have brought a pair of aqua shoes

I hate that I have to wear glasses on beach trips and I don't like the feeling of contact lenses and constantly worrying about when you dive T_T I'd give up rice to be able to wear proper shades on my beach trips w/o being blind. LOL.

the water was clear and inviting ^_^

footsie shot? lol

The first time I used my GoPro Hero 4 would be on this trip, I wish I got the red filter but probably next time I'll try to learn about it first, this shot underwater was good enough for me.

 

Cliff diving anyone?

This side of the island is simply AWESOME. Its just too bad I cant go jump in.

I had to say no to cliff diving... Takot kse ako magfall... Baka wala kse sumalo 💔🙈 #Cherowts hahaha maybe next time pag kaya ko na #WhoGoat #WanderingGee #SoloTravel #FortuneIsland #Joiner #LifesABeachPh

with Byaherang Barat

Good thing I went with them to this side of Fortune Island, It was awesome ^_^

They got to cliff dive, and I... took their pics :))
Grezel, Lian and Paul

Bunny Pose with the crew before boarding the boat to go back to Nasugbu
[Credits to Lian I.]

 How we got to Fortune Island

1. Byaherang Barat rented a van for us and a boat and all split the cost I think there were about 17 people in this trip. Travel time from Manila to Nasugbu would be around 3-4 hours

2. For a more organized and convenient way to get there you need to have a contact already because they can meet you at Jollibee in JP Laurel, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then from there they can guide you to Fortune Island Resort where you can ride a boat. Your contact can also inform you about the weather situation before you leave for Batangas.

We used the service of Mang Dante on my first attempt to get to Fortune Island and the second with Byaherang Barat she got Ycel from Fortune Island Resort: #09155047166

3. Before heading to your rented boats, once you make a stop over in Jollibee, there is a local market nearby where you can get your food supplies, there is also a 7 eleven and a several food establishment. You can also get Ice and Water by the Galon from Fortune Island Resort.

Environmental Fee: Php 400.00
Boat Rental Php 400.00 (depending on how many passengers)
Food Sharing expense: Php 250- 300.00

Sharing a few tips:

• The shade is limited in the island so its best to be early so you can get a nice spot to set up your your tent

• There is no decent toilet and bath in the island and clean / potable water source, so  best to  bring gallons of water for washing your food, dishes and also for cleaning up, as for me I brought along a lot of wet wipes ^_^
  
• There is also no electricity in the island so if you are going to stay overnight make sure to bring a power bank to charge your gadgets, the LTE signal of Globe was stable enough I was able to update my personal Instagram and FB hehe ^_^

• Bring lots of Garbage bags, there are no trash bins so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, PRACTICE LNT (LEAVE NO TRACE)

• Dont bring chocolates... I brought Maltesers and it melted T_T hehe (Maybe Cloud 9 or Big bang wont? hmm... )

          The camping experience wasn't so bad, Despite the lack of a decent restroom, water and electricity I actually enjoyed it with the company of the people that I just met. There was a little socializing and drinking after dinner, but I didn't last long I dozed off a few minutes after dinner. I wish I didn't doze of early to stargaze. I fell soundly asleep even without showering hahaha, I used a big pack of wet wipes to take the salt water from my body then I changed clothes inside the tent and fell asleep after. If you are traveling solo like me, best option would be to join a group because the boat rental is too steep to be shouldered by just 1 or 2 persons. Best of luck and enjoy! :)

P.S.
Take Nothing but Pictures, Leave Nothing but Footprints, Kill Nothing but Time.

Please follow me on my Instagram and Facebook accounts just click on the links.Thanks!

IG: ohhmygeeitsme

Facebook: /OhMyGeeItsMe